releases: https://gonzalez-colon.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-gonz-lez-col-n-and-rep-murphy-successfully-honor-65th-infantry-regiment
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://gonzalez-colon.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-gonz-lez-col-n-and-rep-murphy-successfully-honor-65th-infantry-regiment | Rep. Gonzlez-Coln and Rep. Murphy Successfully Honor 65th Infantry Regiment in Annual Defense Bill | 2020-07-22 | 2020 | 2020-07 | Republican | House | PR | Jenniffer González-Colón | G000582 | gonzalez-colon.house.gov | legacy | Washington, D.C. Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives approved H.R. 6395, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021,whichincludes two bipartisan amendments jointly offered by Congresswoman JennifferGonzlez-Coln (R-PR)and Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (D-FL) to support military veterans in Puerto Rico, who are not always treated equally compared to veterans residing in the states. The first Gonzlez-Coln-Murphy amendment expresses the House of Representatives' support for designating April 13thas National Borinqueneers Day in honor of the 65thInfantry Regiment, a U.S. Army unit that consisted mostly of soldiers from Puerto Rico.The Regiment distinguished itself for bravery during the Korean War and other conflicts, overcame discrimination against Hispanic soldiers, and earned the Congressional Gold Medal on April 13, 2016. The amendment also expresses deep gratitude for the contributions to the Armed Forces that have been made by hundreds of thousands of patriotic United States citizens from Puerto Rico. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), together with Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), led asuccessful effortto get a similar provision through the U.S. Senate on July 1, 2020. I am immensely proud of the service and sacrifice of the Borinqueneers, who without ever voting for their Commander in Chief, like servicemembers of the Island do now, selflessly fought and at times paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country and the values we hold dear. This is another way to continue expressing our appreciation for these great soldiers and their families,said Gonzlez-Coln. I am thrilled that Rep. Gonzlez-Colon and I were able to include this provision honoring the brave Borinqueneers in the annual defense bill,said Murphy. Designating April 13thas National Borinqueneers Day' is a fitting tribute to the men of this revered unit, as well as to all men and women from Puerto Rico who have served and sacrificed in the U.S. military, defending democracy even though they do not enjoy it themselves. Gonzlez-Coln and Murphy also included a second amendment in the defense bill,requiring the U.S. Department of Defense to swiftly brief Congress on the feasibility, benefits, and costs of extending TRICARE Prime to military retireesveterans who served on active duty for at least 20 yearsresiding in Puerto Rico. TRICARE is the health care program of the Department of Defense, and TRICARE Prime is a managed care option that is available to retirees in nearly every state, but not in Puerto Rico or the other territories. This is the source of longstanding frustration on the part of veterans in Puerto Rico. According to the report by the Congressional Task Force on Economic Growth in Puerto Rico, having limited access to TRICARE Prime is one way in which Puerto Rico is treated differently under several Federal Programs. This amendment gives us an opportunity to continue working towards rectifying this discrepancy. I trust it will provide valuable and updated information, building on former reports and moving us closer to resolving this issue. said Gonzlez-Coln. It is completely unacceptable that TRICARE Prime is not available to military retirees in Puerto Rico and the other territories,said Murphy. If you served 20 or more years in the U.S. military and then retire in Puerto Rico, you should have access to the same health services as are available to your fellow veterans living in Florida or any state. This is a moral issue, and we won't rest until its fixed. | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |