Senate Resolution No. 1885
BY: Senator FERNANDEZ
MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
April 13, 2026, as Borinqueneers Day in the State of
New York
WHEREAS, Members of the Armed Services from the State of New York,
who have served so faithfully and courageously in wars in which our
Nation's freedom was at stake, as well as in the preservation of peace
during peacetime, deserve a special salute from this Legislative Body;
and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 13, 2026, as Borinqueneers Day
in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National
Borinqueneers Day; and
WHEREAS, In 2020, Congress passed the National Defense Authorization
Act, which included legislation supporting April 13th as National
Borinqueneers Day; it was passed into law January 1, 2021; and
WHEREAS, Since its inception, National Borinqueneers Day is
celebrated annually to recognize the many meritorious contributions of
the Borinqueneers and to highlight their representation of Hispanic
soldiers and veterans; and
WHEREAS, The Borinqueneers have been recognized for their valor
during the Korean War; their awards include two Korean Presidential Unit
Citations, 2,771 Purple Heart Medals, 606 Bronze Stars, 256 Silver
Stars, nine Distinguished Service Crosses, and the Medal of Honor; and
WHEREAS, The 65th U.S. Army Infantry Regiment, the Borinqueneers,
began as the Battalion of Puerto Rican Volunteers in the aftermath of
the Spanish American War of 1898; the unit officially became part of the
U.S. Army in 1908, and came to be known as the Puerto Rican Regiment;
and
WHEREAS, Although formed and trained, racial prejudice and
segregation prevented them from seeing action during World War II;
however, when the Korean War began in 1950, they were deployed as
first-line combat troops; and
WHEREAS, The Borinqueneers achieved great success in the first half
of the war; they succeeded in Operation Thunderbolt and Operation
Exploitation, the last U.S. Army battalion-sized bayonet charge in
history; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations and events of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 13, 2026, as
Borinqueneers Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.
