[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 129 (Tuesday, July 31, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        REMEMBERING SERGEANT FIRST CLASS RESTITUTO OYOLA-ALVAREZ

  Mr. BLUMENTHAL. Mr. President, I rise today with a heavy heart to pay 
tribute to SFC, Retired, Restituto ``Tuto'' Oyola-Alvarez, a courageous 
member of our military and devoted family man. Sadly, Sergeant First 
Class Oyola-Alvarez passed away on July 22, 2018, at the age of 101. He 
will be remembered for his tireless, dedicated service to our nation.
  Sergeant First Class Oyola-Alvarez was born in Arecibo, PR, and he 
enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Buchanan on January 22, 1941. He went 
on to serve in Puerto Rico's 65th Infantry Regiment during the Korean 
war. The regiment was referred to as the Borinqueneers, and Sergeant 
First Class Oyola-Alvarez and the rest of his Latino-segregated unit 
played a valuable role in helping American war efforts.
  Unfortunately, despite their remarkable dedication, the 
Borinqueneers' contributions went largely overlooked once the war 
ended. After 20 years of Active service and many more decades during 
which it went unrecognized, Sergeant First Class Oyola-Alvarez was at 
last granted the awards his unfailing support of our Nation deserved. 
On Veterans Day in 2012, I was honored to present him a number of hard-
earned medals at his home in Hartford, CT. Four years later, I was 
proud to present him and his fellow Borinqueneers with the 
Congressional Gold Medal at the Connecticut State Capitol. At the 
ceremony, Sergeant First Class Oyola-Alvarez also received more medals 
acknowledging his efforts on behalf of America, including the World War 
II Victory Medal and Korean Service Medal, among others.
  Honorably discharged in 1961, he gained proper recognition for his 
service when he reached his mid-90s. Citations and certificates from 
his home State of Connecticut were given by the Connecticut General 
Assembly, the secretary of the State of Connecticut, and the mayor of 
Hartford. In 2014, Sergeant First Class Oyola-Alvarez's tenacious 
defense of our democracy earned him the Lifetime Achievement Award from 
the Latino Puerto Rican Affairs Commission in Connecticut.
  His sincere devotion to his birth island of Puerto Rico, the United 
States, and the U.S. Armed Forces carried into his family life as well. 
Sergeant First Class Oyola-Alvarez cherished his wife of 70 years, the 
late Sarah Rivera, as well as his only daughter, Sara Victoria, his 
son-in-law, Merril, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 
His years of outstanding leadership, loyalty, and commitment are a 
model for all of us and have left a lasting positive impact upon the 
country.
  My wife, Cynthia, and I extend our deepest sympathies to Restituto's 
family during this difficult time. May their many wonderful memories of 
him provide them solace and comfort in the days ahead.

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