|
WASHINGTON - Days after the country celebrated Veterans Day, Congressman Charles B. Rangel is asking his fellow Congressional leaders to remember the contributions that Latinos have made in securing freedom at home and abroad all year around.
"It's not just on Veterans Day or during Hispanic Heritage Month that we should be thankful for the sacrifice of these soldiers," said Congressman Rangel. "Every day that we wake up to the sights & sounds of a free land is a day that we should be honoring our military veterans."
Congressman Rangel introduced The Hispanic American Heroes Resolution (H. CON. RES. 253) on November 9 as a way for Congress to recognize "the service, courage, and patriotism of Hispanic Americans who have served and continue to serve as members of the United States Armed Forces." Twelve of his colleagues joined him as original co-sponsors, including fellow New Yorkers Rep. Jose Serrano and Nydia Velasquez, as well as Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joe Baca.
Currently 1.3 million Hispanic veterans live in the United States, with more than 30,000 Latinos on active duty and in the reserves. More than 400 Latinos have died in recent military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"We don't need to go much further than our own neighborhoods to see the sacrifices that Latinos, some of whom don't even citizenship, have made to this country," said Rangel. "In my Congressional District, men like Sgt. Riayan Tejada, Army Specialist Sergio Antonio Mercedes Saez, Army Specialist Jose L. Ruiz and most recently, Cpl. Juan Alcantara serve as constant reminders of the ultimate sacrifice that some in the community have made for both their families and this nation."
As the resolution points out, Hispanic contributions go as far back as the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. In the 20th century, Latinos played an important role in World War II with between 400,000 and 500, 000 young men and women participating and 13 men earning Congressional Medals of Honor. In the Korean War, the all-Hispanic Puerto Rican 65th Infantry earned 4 Distinguished Service Crosses, 124 Silver Stars and is credited with the last recorded battalion-sized bayonet assault in the history of the United States Army.
When they came home, many Latinos joined African Americans and other progressives in fighting racial and ethnic prejudice and the second-class treatment of Spanish-speaking people. Many enrolled in college with the G.I. Bill, becoming leaders in a variety of fields, including law, business and social justice.
"It is a shame that despite their heroic service during and after war, the contributions of these Americans go largely unnoticed in the history books," said Congressman Rangel. "Ensuring that their efforts are not forgotten reminds us of how much we all share in common and moves us one step closer to the great country that we all hope that we can be."
###
|
