[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E721-E722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING WAR HERO AND TRAILBLAZER LUIS R. SIERRA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 2022

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Luis 
Sierra. Mr. Sierra bravely defended our country during the Vietnam War 
and earned a Bronze Star Medal, the fourth highest military decoration 
for valor.
  Born on December 2, 1949, Luis Sierra grew up in Cidra, Puerto Rico. 
Eventually moving with his family to the city of Ponce, Mr. Sierra was 
raised in a Roman Catholic household and was an avid player of baseball 
and basketball as an adolescent. After graduating high school in 1967, 
Mr. Sierra spent the next two years working as a Linotype operator.
  Mr. Sierra left his job and enlisted in the Army on August 29, 1969. 
He spent the first few months of his service in Fort Jackson, South 
Carolina until he was called to join the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry in 
the Republic of Vietnam. Arriving on March 18, 1970, his unit 
participated in numerous battles which resulted in 22 members of the 
unit, including Specialist Sierra, being awarded a Bronze Star Medal 
for meritorious service against a hostile enemy.
  Along with the Bronze Star Medal, Mr. Sierra received multiple other 
awards for his service including the Vietnam Service Medal with three 
bronze service stars, the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of 
Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with the 1960 Device, the Sharpshooter Badge 
with Rifle Bar, and the Vietnam Veteran Lapel pin.
  Mr. Sierra was honorably discharged from active duty on April 2, 1971 
and he remained in the Reserves until his service ended on July 23, 
1975.
  Upon his return home, Mr. Sierra married Silvia M. Gonzalez with whom 
he had 3 children: Raul J. Sierra, Silvette Sierra, and

[[Page E722]]

Esmeralda Sierra. While Raul sadly passed away in 2021, Silvette is 
employed as a Spanish Speaking Employment Counselor at the Erie County 
Department of Social Services, and Esmeralda is the current president 
of the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, Inc.
  Following his service in the Army, in 1988, Mr. Sierra earned his 
Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from La Pontificia Universidad Catolica 
de Puerto Rico as a part of the GI Bill. He then completed his Juris 
Doctor and began working in Ponce, Puerto Rico as an Administrative 
Judge for the Department of Consumer Affairs. Mr. Sierra also opened a 
private law practice in Puerto Rico, and worked there until moving to 
Buffalo. In Buffalo, Mr. Sierra worked for the New York State Division 
of Human Rights as a Human Rights Specialist until his retirement.
  Luis Sierra was one of more than 80,000 Hispanic Americans to serve 
during the Vietnam War who, despite facing racial discrimination, 
bravely defended our country. We thank Mr. Sierra for his contributions 
to the war effort and his exemplary behavior while enlisted in the 
military.
  Today, we join the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York to 
celebrate the achievements of Mr. Luis Sierra. Madam Speaker, we stand 
together today alongside Mr. Sierra, his family, and other Hispanic-
American service members for whom we are eternally grateful.

                          ____________________