The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING WAR HERO AND TRAILBLAZER LUIS R. SIERRA
______
HON. BRIAN HIGGINS
of new york
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Luis Sierra. Mr. Sierra bravely defended our country during the Vietnam War and earned a Bronze Star Medal, the fourth highest military decoration for valor.
Born on December 2, 1949, Luis Sierra grew up in Cidra, Puerto Rico. Eventually moving with his family to the city of Ponce, Mr. Sierra was raised in a Roman Catholic household and was an avid player of baseball and basketball as an adolescent. After graduating high school in 1967, Mr. Sierra spent the next two years working as a Linotype operator.
Mr. Sierra left his job and enlisted in the Army on August 29, 1969. He spent the first few months of his service in Fort Jackson, South Carolina until he was called to join the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry in the Republic of Vietnam. Arriving on March 18, 1970, his unit participated in numerous battles which resulted in 22 members of the unit, including Specialist Sierra, being awarded a Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service against a hostile enemy.
Along with the Bronze Star Medal, Mr. Sierra received multiple other awards for his service including the Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze service stars, the National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with the 1960 Device, the Sharpshooter Badge with Rifle Bar, and the Vietnam Veteran Lapel pin.
Mr. Sierra was honorably discharged from active duty on April 2, 1971 and he remained in the Reserves until his service ended on July 23, 1975.
Upon his return home, Mr. Sierra married Silvia M. Gonzalez with whom he had 3 children: Raul J. Sierra, Silvette Sierra, and Esmeralda Sierra. While Raul sadly passed away in 2021, Silvette is employed as a Spanish Speaking Employment Counselor at the Erie County Department of Social Services, and Esmeralda is the current president of the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York, Inc.
Following his service in the Army, in 1988, Mr. Sierra earned his Bachelor's Degree in Marketing from La Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Puerto Rico as a part of the GI Bill. He then completed his Juris Doctor and began working in Ponce, Puerto Rico as an Administrative Judge for the Department of Consumer Affairs. Mr. Sierra also opened a private law practice in Puerto Rico, and worked there until moving to Buffalo. In Buffalo, Mr. Sierra worked for the New York State Division of Human Rights as a Human Rights Specialist until his retirement.
Luis Sierra was one of more than 80,000 Hispanic Americans to serve during the Vietnam War who, despite facing racial discrimination, bravely defended our country. We thank Mr. Sierra for his contributions to the war effort and his exemplary behavior while enlisted in the military.
Today, we join the Hispanic Heritage Council of Western New York to celebrate the achievements of Mr. Luis Sierra. Madam Speaker, we stand together today alongside Mr. Sierra, his family, and other Hispanic-
American service members for whom we are eternally grateful.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 115
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
House Representatives' salaries are historically higher than the median US income.
Alerts Sign-up