Pablo José Hernández

Disaster Aid Without Delay Act of 2026

in committee

International AI Energy Grid Modernization Strategy Act

in committee

AI Cyber Grid Protection Resilient Development Act of 2026

in committee

“Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a truth that Puerto Rico has lived for more than a century: freedom is not inherited. It is forged. Forged in sacrifice, in courage, and in the lives of men and women who answered every call this Nation made, with unmatched devotion and without hesitation. This coming Memorial Day, as our people prepare to gather at the Morovis National Cemetery under the theme ``Freedom Forged by Our Heroes,'' I express our eternal gratitude to those who purchased our freedom with their lives, and our solemn pledge to be worthy of it. For more than a century, Puerto Rico has sent its sons and daughters to every theater of American conflict. In World War I and World War II, tens of thousands served with distinction, carrying the flag of this Nation across every theater of war. In Korea, the 65th Infantry Regiment, the Borinqueneers, forged a legacy that could not be ignored: two Korean Presidential Unit Citations, more than 2,700 Purple Hearts, and the Congressional Gold Medal, authorized by this body in 2014 and formally presented in 2016. Among them stood Private First Class Fernando Luis Garcia of Utuado, who threw himself upon an enemy grenade on September 5, 1952, so his fellow Marines could live. He became Puerto Rico's first Medal of Honor recipient. His name became a standard. In Vietnam, Private First Class Carlos James Lozada of Caguas and Specialist Hector Santiago-Colon of Salinas each gave their lives to save their comrades--Lozada by holding his exposed position under withering fire so his platoon could withdraw, Santiago-Colon by shielding a grenade with his body--both awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. Two men, two moments, one unbreakable thread of sacrifice. That thread did not end there. Sergeant First Class Pedro A. Munoz of Quebradillas, a Green Beret, was killed on January 2, 2005, after his Special Forces patrol encountered enemy fire in Shindand, Afghanistan. Sergeant First Class Jose A. Rivera of Barranquitas, an 82nd Airborne paratrooper, was killed on November 5, 2003, when his patrol came under fire in Mumuhdyah, Iraq. And recently, Puerto Rico mourned Major Ariana G. Linse Savino--a proud daughter of Puerto Rico, a 31-year-old Air Force pilot, Chief of Current Operations of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, killed in the line of duty on March 12, 2026, in western Iraq. Governor Gonzalez Colon awarded her the Governor's Medal for Valor and Patriotism--the first time in history that honor was given posthumously. Regarding her family: Puerto Rico embraces them, and will forever carry her memory. For generations, Puerto Rico's fallen rested at the Bayamon National Cemetery, a ground made sacred by the heroes it received. When Bayamon reached its capacity and closed to new interments, Puerto Rico did not leave its veterans without an answer. The Morovis National Cemetery rose to carry that sacred trust forward, extending the same dignity deeper into the heart of the island, closer to the communities that have given the most. Nestled in the mountains of Puerto Rico, Morovis stands as living proof that our commitment to those who serve does not expire. No hero of this island will rest forgotten, and no family will carry their grief without the full honor their loved one earned. From the frozen hills of Korea to the skies above Iran, Puerto Rico has answered every call, in every generation, without fail. Freedom Forged by Our Heroes is not a phrase chosen lightly. It is a truth written in sacrifice, carried across generations, and honored in Morovis, Bayamon, and all across Puerto Rico. ____________________”

2026-05-19 · Veterans

“Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with deep respect and reverence to honor the life and extraordinary service of Captain Jose A. Fernandez-Paoli, United States Army (Ret.), a distinguished son of Puerto Rico, a Bronze Star recipient, and a Vietnam War veteran whose name will be forever enshrined at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Born in Puerto Rico in 1940, Jose Fernandez-Paoli embodied the values that have long defined our Island: devotion to family, commitment to education, and an unshakeable sense of duty. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame in 1961, and his law degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law in 1964, before answering the call to serve in uniform. Commissioned as a Captain in the United States Army, Captain Fernandez-Paoli served as an Intelligence and Security Officer and was appointed Chief of the Interrogation Section of the 541st Military Intelligence Detachment, operating as part of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. From September 1966 through February 1967, he was deployed to Xuan Loc, where he displayed extraordinary judgment, courage, and devotion alongside his fellow soldiers. In recognition of his bravery and meritorious service in military operations against a hostile force, Captain Fernandez-Paoli was awarded the Bronze Star Medal by the President of the United States, a permanent testament to his selfless sacrifice and unwavering commitment to the ideals of liberty and democracy. Upon his return to Puerto Rico, Captain Fernandez-Paoli channeled the discipline of his military service into a distinguished legal career spanning nearly six decades. He served as Senior Counsel at Delgado and Fernandez, LLC, Vice President of the Board of Trustees of Sacred Heart University, member of the Puerto Rico Board of Bar Examiners, and General Counsel to the Associated General Contractors of America, Puerto Rico Chapter. In every courtroom, he carried the same honor with which he had served his country. Puerto Rico lost one of its finest sons on June 16, 2024. Captain Fernandez-Paoli passed from this world, leaving behind an enduring legacy of service, integrity, and devotion to his Nation, to the island that formed him, and to the pursuit of justice. June 20, 2026, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will honor Captain Fernandez-Paoli by inscribing his name in the ``In Memory'' plaque adjacent to The Wall on the National Mall, a solemn recognition for veterans whose deaths are linked to the lasting wounds of that war. He will be among 768 veterans honored at this year's ceremony. It is a moment of recognition long deserved. Mr. Speaker, since 1917, generation after generation of Puerto Ricans have answered the call of duty with full patriotic devotion, defending a democracy that has not always fully extended its promise to them. Captain Fernandez-Paoli was one of those patriots. He carried the flag of the United States through the jungles of Vietnam, earned one of the highest military honors, returned home, and spent his life and his profession in service to his community. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the people of Puerto Rico, I extend the eternal gratitude and enduring pride of our island for the life and legacy of Captain Jose A. Fernandez-Paoli. May his memory be a blessing to his family. May the Nation he served with such distinction, honor the full measure of what Puerto Rico has always given to this great country. ____________________”

2026-05-14 · Veterans

“Mr. HERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Jose Rafael ``Piculin'' Ortiz Rijos, affectionately known throughout Puerto Rico as ``Piculin'' and ``El Concord,'' one of the most beloved and accomplished athletes in our history. Born in Aibonito and raised in Cayey, Jose Rafael ``Piculin'' Ortiz Rijos became one of the greatest centers Puerto Rico has ever produced. His journey took him from the Baloncesto Superior Nacional, where he became a champion and icon, to Oregon State University, the National Basketball Association, Europe's elite leagues, and the international stage. As a member of Puerto Rico's National Team, Piculin helped carry our flag with dignity across four Olympic Games and multiple international competitions. His performances helped cement Puerto Rico's place in international basketball and inspired countless young Puerto Ricans to believe that greatness could emerge from our small Island. Among his greatest moments was Puerto Rico's historic 92-73 victory over the United States at the 2004 Summer Olympics, a game forever etched in the memory of our people. That day, Puerto Rico did not simply win a basketball game. Puerto Rico reminded the world of its talent, courage, and competitive spirit. For generations of Puerto Ricans, Piculin was more than a basketball player. He was the sound of a packed coliseum, the voice of a radio announcer on a summer night, and the pride of families crowded around a television to watch Puerto Rico compete against the world. He was the backdrop to evenings on neighborhood courts where children attempted to imitate his signature moves, and the reason communities gathered, transcended their differences, and found in basketball a language all their own. In him, Puerto Rico saw height, talent, discipline, and heart, but above all, we saw ourselves. May the legacy of Jose Rafael ``Piculin'' Ortiz Rijos, our ``Piculin,'' our ``El Concord,'' live forever in the hearts of a grateful Puerto Rico. ____________________”

2026-05-12 · Government Reform