Acting Governor Leroy Garcia Signs Proclamation on U.S.S. Pueblo
Pueblo, CO — Acting Governor Leroy M. Garcia (D-Pueblo) today signed a proclamation calling on the North Korean Leader and its people to return the U.S.S. Pueblo to the people of the United States and designating January 23rd as U.S.S. Pueblo Day.
“As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, I am grateful for the bravery demonstrated and sacrifices made by the crew of the U.S.S. Pueblo,” said Garcia. “While we continue to demand the return of this ship from the Republic of North Korea, I am proud to designate a day to honor the courage of the crew who were captured and remember such an important symbol of strength and pride for both our Navy and the American people.”
The U.S.S. Pueblo, named for the city of Pueblo, Colorado, is a United States Navy ship that was attacked by the North Korean military while on an intelligence mission on January 23, 1968. One crew member was killed during the attack while 80 others and two civilian oceanographers were captured and held for 11 months by the North Korean government
The Colorado General Assembly passed a joint resolution (SJR19-003) during the 2019 legislative session asking for the President and national political leaders to ensure the Republic of North Korea returns the U.S.S. Pueblo. While the General Assembly passes a similar resolution every year, the U.S.S. Pueblo remains the only ship held by a foreign government 51 years later.
ABOUT SEN. GARCIA:
Senator Leroy Garcia was elected in 2014 to represent Senate District 3, which covers the Cities of Pueblo, Pueblo West and part of the community in Salt Creek. He formerly served in the Marine Corps and in the Colorado House of Representatives. In March 2018, Senator Garcia was elected by his colleagues to serve as Senate Minority Leader. In 2019, he was elected to serve as President of the Senate.
