Washington, D.C. | November 3, 2026. The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce (NPRCC) sent a letter in support of H.R. 9595, the Sergeant First Class Jorge Otero Barreto Medal of Honor Act, to the leaders of the House Committee on Armed Services and Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández. NPRCC respectfully urged the Committee to act on the bill before the 119th Congress ends on January 3, 2027.
Jorge Otero Barreto, a native of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, served in the U.S. Army from 1959 to 1970. He carried out 200 combat missions in Vietnam and received 38 decorations, including two Silver Stars and five Bronze Stars. His record reflects the faithful sacrifice that generations of Puerto Rican men and women have made for this nation.
Resident Commissioner Hernández introduced H.R. 9595 on July 6, 2026, with Representative Nydia Velázquez as cosponsor, and the bill was referred to the House Committee on Armed Services. In our letter, NPRCC asked Members of the Committee to:
Join H.R. 9595 as cosponsors
Take up the bill so the Medal of Honor can be considered while there is still time in this Congress
“Awarding him the Medal of Honor would recognize a life of service and would mean a great deal to Puerto Rican veterans, their families, and the businesses we serve across the country,” said Joel Berrocal, Executive Director of NPRCC.