RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The United States 65th Infantry Regiment (Borinqueneers) traces its' lineage from the first U.S. Infantry Battalion of native Puerto Rico Volunteer Troops authorized by Congress in 1899; and,
WHEREAS, During World War I, the Selective Service Draft law was extended to include Puerto Rico and the U.S. 65th Infantry went to war and defended the Panama Canal; and,
WHEREAS, During World War II, the U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment gallantly served in North Africa and Europe combat and won the following Battle Campaign Awards: Naples-Foggian, Rome-Arne, Central Europe, and Rhineland Campaigns. After the war, the U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment was assigned dangerous security, anti-sabotage and other occupation missions around Kaiserslautern & Mannheim, Germany. The 65th Infantry were among the last units to come home; and,
WHEREAS, During the Korean War, the U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment distinguished themselves over a three year period by receiving nine Korean Battle Campaign Awards, the Presidential and Meritorious Unit Commendations, two Korean Presidential Unit Citations, the Greek Gold Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, and many other awards for bravery; and,
WHEREAS, The U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment was awarded 9 Battle Campaign Awards for bravery: UN Defense-1950, UN Offense-1950, CCF lntervention-1950, First UN Counterattack Offensive-1951, UN and CCF Spring Offensive-1951, UN Summer-Fall Offensive-1951, 2nd Korean Winter 1951-52, Korean Summer-Fall-1952 and 3rd Korean Winter-1952-53; and,
WHEREAS, Over the span of World War I, World War II, and the Korean War, the U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment earned ten Distinguished Service Crosses, 258 Silver Stars, 628 Bronze Stars, over 2,700 Purple Hearts, and many other individual awards; and,
WHEREAS, The U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment (Borinqueneers) Colors were passed to the United States Territory of Puerto Rico National Guard in 1959 (which today is fighting in the World War on Terrorism). This is the only time in US Army History that Active Unit Colors were not retired, but, turned over to a National Guard Unit; and,
WHEREAS, The Borinqueneers selflessly served and sacrificed; shed blood for our democracy; ensured our prosperity as they faced segregation, discrimination, and unequal American Citizenship, but, the "Borinqueneers" always loyally protected our Nation; made invaluable contributions to our beloved USA as Military and Civilian Leaders and Workers; nobly fought for the good of all; and,
WHEREAS, Major achievements are attributed to many of those who returned to civilian life and earned leadership positions and respect as businessmen, corporate executives, religious leaders, lawyers, doctors, educators, bankers, and political leaders; and,
WHEREAS, These brave Borinqueneers deserve a place with all American Heroes- should be honored, commended, and never forgotten for their great epic feats; and now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago gathered here this fifth day of June 2013 AD, do hereby recognize the U.S. 65th Infantry Regiment (The Borinqueneers) for their painful sacrifices; selfless service; gallantry in battle; great contributions, and steadfast loyalty for the good of our beloved City of Chicago, State of Illinois and United States of America, and recommend the US Congress and the President ofthe USA award the Borinqueneers of the US 65th Infantry Regiment the US Congressional Gold Medal (CGM; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that suitable copies of this resolution shall be prepared and transmitted to the President of the United States, members of the Illinois Congressional delegation, Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner, President US 65th Veterans' Association, the Chairman ofthe Borinqueneers CGM Alliance, and the Puerto Rican Agenda Committee.
Rey Colon Alderman, 35th Ward
Daniel S. Solis Alderman, 25th Ward
Ariel E. Reboyras Alderman, 30th Ward
Rob'eTtOvMaldonado
Aldermart, 26th Ward
ly Suarez '( \
A . O-l St \A/~ I \J
Ray
Alderman, 3151 Ward h
Joe Moreno Alderman, 1st Ward
George Cardenas Alderfian, 12th Ward
Alderrhdn, 10l" Ward
Ricardo Munoz Alderman, 22nd Ward
Toni Foulkes Alderman, 15th Ward
Edward M. Burke Alderman, 14th Ward
Michael Zalewski
/rman, 23rdvWa
Richard Mell Alderman, 33rd Ward
Nicholas Sposato^
aij -i/-thIA,,.j
Alderman, 36tn Ward
fpmes A. Balcer ^Alderman, 11th Ward