A resolution honoring the 125th anniversary of the Rough Riders in the Spanish American War and designating June 2, 2023, as "National Rough Rider Day".

III 118TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 236 Honoring the 125th anniversary of the Rough Riders in the Spanish American War and designating June 2, 2023, as ‘‘National Rough Rider Day’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES JUNE 1, 2023 Mr. SCOTT of Florida (for himself and Mr. RUBIO) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Honoring the 125th anniversary of the Rough Riders in the Spanish American War and designating June 2, 2023, as ‘‘National Rough Rider Day’’. Whereas the brief history of the 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry Regiment (referred to in this preamble as the ‘‘Rough Riders’’) fighting to defend and protect the United States has made an indelible contribution to the history of the United States; Whereas the Rough Riders were 1 of 3 volunteer cavalry regi- ments created by Congress on April 25, 1898, with Leon- ard Wood named Colonel of the regiment and Theodore Roosevelt named Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment; Whereas, although the volunteer cavalry regiments were ini- tially to recruit from the Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma Territories, the notoriety of the leaders of VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:08 Jun 02, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR236.IS SR236 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 236 IS the Rough Riders inspired recruits from all portions of the United States to go to San Antonio, Texas, to enlist; Whereas the Rough Riders were given numerous nicknames, with the most prevalent being ‘‘Roosevelt’s Rough Rid- ers’’; Whereas the Rough Riders trained in Texas and were ordered on May 8, 1898, to board 7 trains and proceed to Tampa, Florida; Whereas June 2, 2023, marks the 125th anniversary of the Rough Riders arrival to Tampa, Florida, to join the 5th Corps of the Army and await embarkation for the inva- sion of Cuba; Whereas the Rough Riders— (1) were ordered to embark on June 8, 1898, with the Army invasion fleet; and (2) in their eagerness to be part of the invasion fleet, infamously commandeered a train to take them to Port Tampa to embark; Whereas, at Port Tampa, things were in great disarray, and the 5th Corps was highly disorganized; Whereas, in the confusion of moving the 5th Corps invasion forces on to the Army invasion fleet transports— (1) several 5th Corps regiments were assigned to the same transport vessel, the S.S. Yucatan; and (2) Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt got his men aboard the S.S. Yucatan, and realizing that once aboard they would probably not be forced to disembark, the Rough Riders stayed aboard, to the chagrin of the other regi- ments; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:08 Jun 02, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR236.IS SR236 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 236 IS Whereas the Army invasion fleet sailed on June 14 with the Rough Riders, and the 5th Corps landed at Daquiri, Cuba on June 22, 1898; Whereas, on June 24, 1898, the Rough Riders, along with the 10th United States Cavalry Regiment (referred to in this preamble as the ‘‘Buffalo Soldiers’’)— (1) led the advance of the 5th Corps; and (2) met, engaged, and caused the retreat, of Spanish forces at the Battle of Las Guasimas, while sustaining the first casualties of the Cuba campaign; Whereas, on July 1, 1898, the Rough Riders, under the com- mand of the future President Lieutenant Colonel Roo- sevelt, led the charge at Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill, serving alongside the Buffalo Soldiers; Whereas, despite the Rough Riders sustaining considerable losses, the Rough Riders participated in the siege of Santiago de Cuba and were present for the surrender of the enemy forces, which signaled the end of hostilities in Cuba; Whereas, during the Cuba campaign, the courage and tenac- ity of the Rough Riders in battle resulted in— (1) 2 officers and 21 enlisted killed in action; and (2) 7 officers and 97 enlisted wounded in action; Whereas Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt was promoted to Colo- nel and the Rough Riders proved their worth and lived up to the publicity they had already received; Whereas Colonel Roosevelt was nominated for and later re- ceived the Medal of Honor for his leadership actions and bravery in leading from the front at Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill; VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:30 Jun 02, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR236.IS SR236 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 4 •SRES 236 IS Whereas, in August 1898, the Rough Riders departed Cuba for Montauk, New York, and were disbanded on Sep- tember 15, 1898; Whereas from the formation of the Rough Riders to its dis- bandment, the Rough Riders suffered a 37 percent cas- ualty rate during the Cuba campaign, the highest of any cavalry or infantry regiment in the Armed Forces; Whereas, after their service, numerous members of the Rough Riders went on to serve the United States in various roles, including— (1) as President of the United States; (2) as Secretary of the Navy; (3) as various State Governors; (4) as Army Generals and Colonels; (5) as educators; and (6) in many other professions; Whereas the history and military achievements of the mem- bers of the Rough Riders, including their post-service contributions to the United States and their fight to de- fend the United States and liberate an oppressed people, warrant special expressions of the gratitude by the people of the United States; and Whereas the decedents and beneficiaries of the achievements of the Rough Riders celebrate June 2, 2023, as the 125th Anniversary of the Rough Riders in the Spanish American War: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) designates June 2, 2023, as ‘‘National 2 Rough Rider Day’’; and 3 VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:08 Jun 02, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR236.IS SR236 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS 5 •SRES 236 IS (2) encourages the people of the United States 1 to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and 2 activities. 3 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 02:08 Jun 02, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR236.IS SR236 kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS