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 regiments created by Congress on April 25, 1898, with Leonard Wood named Colonel of the regiment and Theodore 

Roosevelt named Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment; 

Whereas, although the volunteer cavalry regiments were initially to recruit from the Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, 

and Oklahoma Territories, the notoriety of the leaders of 


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 Riders’’; 

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 invasion 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 regiments; 


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 command of the future President Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt, 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 tenacity 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 Colonel 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 received the Medal of Honor for his leadership actions and 

bravery in leading from the front at Kettle Hill and San 

Juan Hill; 


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 September 15, 1898; 

Whereas from the formation of the Rough Riders to its disbandment, the Rough Riders suffered a 37 percent casualty 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 members of the Rough Riders, including their post-service 

contributions to the United States and their fight to defend 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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates June 2, 2023, as ‘‘National 

3 Rough Rider Day’’; and 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS
5 

•SRES 236 IS 

1 (2) encourages the people of the United States 

2 to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and 

3 activities. 

Æ 


kjohnson on DSK79L0C42PROD with BILLS