[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E627-E628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL PUERTO RICAN AFFIRMATION DAY

                                 ______


                          HON. JOSE E. SERRANO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 1996

  Mr. SERRANO. Mr. Speaker, National Puerto Rican Affirmation Day was 
held on March 29, 1996, and I would like to share with my colleagues 
the remarks I made at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
  Ladies and gentlemen. We are here today in front of one of the most 
emotional tributes that Americans have erected to our soldiers. It is 
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in honor of the thousands of men and 
women who served and lost their lives in the service of this nation.
  On a day just like today, thousands of Puerto Ricans and Hispanics 
were called to serve in the Vietnam war and to fight as part of the 
American forces. When they were called to duty, Puerto Ricans were 
ready to serve valiantly.
  What many people do not know and many history books do not tell us is 
that Puerto Ricans have fought in all foreign wars that this country 
has been involved in, from the War of Independence and World War I and 
II, to most recently, the Persian Gulf War, and the current peace 
keeping effort in Bosnia.
  Puerto Ricans fought alongside a military force of Cuban, Mexican 
Indian, mulatto and Mestizo soldiers in what is now Louisiana during 
the War of Independence. In the Korean War, the 65th Infantry Regiment 
of Puerto Rico fought bravely, and to honor them, a highway in Puerto 
Rico was named after the regiment. Today, I have cosponsored two pieces 
of legislation introduced by Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, which would 
commemorate the heroic efforts of the 65th Infantry Regiment of Puerto 
Rico. One of the bills would authorize the minting of a coin and the 
second one would recognize the regiment with a plaque to be placed at 
the Korean War Veterans Memorial.
  During the Persian Gulf War, as in many other wars, Puerto Ricans 
were among the first to be sent to fight and among the last to leave. 
Former Bronx residents Capt. Manuel Rivera and Marine Cpl. Ismael Cotto 
were both killed in action in the Persian Gulf. Like many other Puerto 
Ricans who continue to join the service, both had entered military life 
with the hope of advancing themselves and improving the quality of life 
for their families. How very sad that they found death where they had 
once hoped to improve their lives.

[[Page E628]]

  If you glance at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial you will be surprised 
to see many last names and first names in Spanish that are carved on 
the wall. You will find Diaz, Rodriguez, Gonzalez, Cruz and many other 
names. These are the Hispanic soldiers, thousands of them Puerto 
Ricans, that gave their lives without hesitation in defense of what 
this Nation stands for.
  No one asked if these Puerto Rican soldiers who were drafted had a 
proficient knowledge of English. They were sent to South Vietnam along 
with other Americans to fight.
  Among the many who fought in Vietnam we know the story of U.S. Army 
Capt. Euripides Rubio. He was born in Ponce, PR and entered service at 
Fort Buchanan. While in Vietnam, Capt. Rubio left a safe position to 
aid the wounded during a massive attack. He had been wounded several 
times when he noticed a grenade which had fallen dangerously close. As 
he ran to throw the grenade back to the enemy he was killed.
  Another Puerto Rican hero, Hector Santiago-Colon entered service in 
New York as a specialist fourth class in the U.S. Army. While serving 
in Vietnam, Santiago alerted his comrades to an approaching attack by 
the enemy. Suddenly fire broke out and his comrades tried to defend 
their position. An enemy soldier crawled close to Santiago's foxhole 
and dropped a grenade. Knowing that there was no time to throw the 
grenade, Santiago tucked it in close to his stomach and took the full 
impact of the blast.
  These courageous Puerto Rican men fought at the risk of their own 
lives above and beyond the call of duty in defense of this Nation.
  More than 200,000 Puerto Ricans have served in U.S. foreign wars and 
thousands have died fighting. Many made it back home but have lived 
their lives scarred from wounds and from the brutal images that are 
intrinsic to any military aggression.
  We gather here today in front of this memorial to honor the men and 
women who at a given moment in the history of this Nation have worn the 
uniform of military service, whether in peace time or during war. On a 
peace keeping mission, or in wars, or in so-called police actions they 
served with courage, honor, and distinction.
  The emotional stress of the military has affected all of our 
soldiers, and more intensely Puerto Rican soldiers from rural areas. 
Puerto Rican soldiers had to cope with military training, 
discrimination in the military, often not understanding the English 
language, being away from the familiar, and lastly the brutal 
experience of the battlefield.
  In addition, a disproportionate number of Puerto Rican soldiers were 
exposed to the violence of war and still suffer from post-traumatic 
stress disorder. This long-term mental illness has prevented them from 
being able to hold jobs, acquire housing, and live normal lives.
  Puerto Rican veterans have been advocating their needs in the public 
arena for more than 20 years, but not much has been accomplished. They 
need the help of Congress and the White House to improve their lives. 
On this National Puerto Rican Affirmation Day, they will make their 
voices heard and we will try to find solutions to their health and 
socioeconomic problems.
  Despite the existence of current veteran programs, many of them have 
failed to provide adequate health services and employment 
opportunities. In addition, lack of information, often unavailable in 
Spanish, has prevented Puerto Rican veterans from participating in 
these programs.
  Puerto Rican veterans need access to a health care system that is 
culturally sensitive and appropriate to their needs. They also need job 
training programs that would successfully prepare them to hold a job in 
the workplace and to develop their careers.
  Many Puerto Rican veterans have expressed their desire to buy homes 
and to own businesses. We need to expand the availability of low 
interest loans for small businesses and home ownership to minority 
veterans. We also need to develop programs that would effectively 
incorporate health, housing, and employment services to assist homeless 
veterans.
  Puerto Rican veterans are eager to enjoy healthy and productive lives 
with their loved ones. We owe our veterans the opportunity to 
participate fully in society and to successfully reestablish their 
lives. United we can bring about positive change through social and 
economic justice.
  We live in a society that has always honored those who have served 
this country. It is for that reason that today we will recognize the 
contributions of Puerto Rican men and women who have served in our 
Armed Forces. In whatever capacity they served, let us today reaffirm 
our desire never to forget their contributions to this country's 
military agenda and the missions that were assigned to them.
  Puerto Ricans have contributed to the fabric of this Nation in all 
areas, from science and the military, to the arts and public policy. I 
would like to ask you to join me in thanking in particular the veterans 
that have come from all parts of the country and from Puerto Rico to be 
here with us, reaffirm our rights as Puerto Ricans and to show their 
support to this National Puerto Rican Reaffirmation Day.

                          ____________________