[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14373]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            TRIBUTE TO KOREAN WAR VETERANS FROM PUERTO RICO

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 12, 2000

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to call to your attention the 
considerable valor during the Korean War of Julio Mercado of West 
Haverstraw, N.Y., Donato Santiago-Molina of Paterson, N.J., Guillermo 
Alamo of Newark, N.J., and Asuncion Santiago-Cruz of Philadelphia, PA. 
I also wish to call to your attention the deeds and tragic deaths of 
John A. Pabon and Ramon Gaya-Arce, who were tragically killed in action 
as members of the 65th Infantry Regiment, which was comprised of 
soldiers from the great island of Puerto Rico.
  Fifty years ago, on June 27, 1950, U.S. forces launched a military 
effort to battle communist North Korea. Soon after, they were joined by 
soldiers from Puerto Rico, plucked from their Caribbean homeland to 
fight on a distant continent. Many were dirt poor from hill country and 
didn't speak a word of English. Some became U.S. soldiers because they 
needed a job; others were drafted.
  Waging war on some of the world's harshest terrain, through the 
sweltering heat of summer and the bone-chilling winds of winter, the 
steely group of Puerto Rican soldiers fought with incredible 
determination and courage.
  These Puerto Rican soldiers gave their hearts to the fight and helped 
sweep the North Koreans back to the 38th parallel. Working side by side 
with the U.S. forces from Maine to California, they then attacked 
Chinese forces that had entered the fray on behalf of the North 
Koreans.
  Through months of bitter battle, in which the warring factions worked 
themselves into a bloody stalemate, the Puerto Rican soldiers fought 
valiantly along side GIs from Maine to California, sacrificing their 
lives for the ideals of democracy.
  Negotiators finally signed an armistice agreement at Panmunjom on 
July 27, 1953. The North Koreans returned to the northern side of the 
38th parallel, while democracy was allowed to once again flourish in 
the Republic of South Korea.
  In later years, the Korean War would be called ``The Forgotten War.'' 
But for the Puerto Rican soldiers who gave everything they had to 
preserve freedom, this war will never be forgotten.
  As we prepare to commemorate ``National Korean War Veterans Armistice 
Day'' on July 27, let us thank the Puerto Rican soldiers who 
demonstrated their love for America, although they did not have a 
vote--and still don't--in the affairs of this great nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to bring to your attention the actions 
of three individuals who have worked selflessly to raise public 
awareness of Korean War veterans from Puerto Rico. Specifically, Puerto 
Rico Senator Kenneth McClintock, retired U.S. Army Sgt. Angel Cordero 
of Paterson, N.J., who serves as a Junior ROTC instructor at Eastside 
High School in Paterson, and Ruben Pabon, Jr. of Northvale, N.J. should 
be lauded for enlightening us of the Puerto Rican veterans' valiant 
efforts on behalf of our nation. Sadly, Mr. Pabon is waiting for the 
body of his late brother, Cpl. John A. Pabon, to be recovered from 
Korea some fifty years after the end of the war.
  Let us all pray that democracy can reach every corner of the Earth, 
from Havana, Cuba to Beijing, China. And, just like our brave soldiers 
in the Korean War, may we remain ever vigilant against those who 
threaten our inalienable rights.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, the people of 
New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the United States in recognizing the 
outstanding and invaluable service to our nation of Julio Mercado, 
Donato Santiago-Molina, Guillermo Alamo, Asuncion Santiago-Cruz, as 
well as John A. Pabon and Ramon Gaya-Arce, who are no longer with us.
  As we honor these men today, we in turn bear in mind the stand of the 
many courageous Puerto Rican soldiers against Communism, which has laid 
the foundation for the peace and freedom that America and many nations 
enjoy today. We also recall the grief of the Puerto Rican families who 
lost their children in this war, and remember the gratitude still 
expressed by the people of South Korea.

                          ____________________