[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 19 (Friday, January 31, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E148-E149]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY MR. JAKE ALARID

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 31, 2014

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, it is with great 
pleasure that I congratulate Mr. Jake Ignacio Alarid on his 80th 
birthday, which will be on February 1, 2014. Mr. Alarid has a lifetime 
of achievements in service to his country and his community, and I am 
proud to work with him on issues facing veterans in Los Angeles.
  Born in 1936, Jake is the oldest of thirteen children. Jake displayed 
spirit and independence at a young age, taking jobs on cattle drives 
and working the family farm to help support his siblings. In 1953, Jake 
was drafted to serve in the Korean War. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine 
Corps and was deployed to Okinawa and Iwo Jima, Japan, to support the 
Prisoner Exchange in Inchon, Korea. Three years later, Jake received an 
Honorable Discharge as a Sergeant and proud Hispanic veteran.
  After relocating to Los Angeles, California, Jake completed his 
Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering at Northrup 
Aeronautical Institute. In 1964, he went on to work as a reliability 
test engineer on the Apollo program, which included the Apollo 11 Moon 
landing mission and Apollo 13. Jake later worked on the Space Shuttle 
program as a Manager in Space Shuttle Test Operations. After 34 years 
of service, Jake retired from Rockwell International.
  In addition to his strong work ethic, Jake has also demonstrated 
leadership in the G.I. Forum, a veterans' and civil rights 
organization, and the largest Federally Chartered Hispanic Veterans 
organization in the U.S. He was elected as the National Commander for 
the American G.I. Forum from 1983-1984, and again from 1994-1998.

[[Page E149]]

  As Commander, Jake met with Presidents Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton 
to discuss issues facing Hispanic veterans. He was selected by the 
Department of Defense and State to participate in fact-finding missions 
to Bosnia, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and Iraq. He has 
encouraged young students to continue their education and pursue 
careers that would further their goals, including careers in the 
military, just as the Marines helped launch his own career.
  Following his years as National Commander, Jake continued to remain 
an active advocate, serve as a voice for veterans, and recognize the 
contributions made by the Hispanic community. Jake has been an advocate 
of education as a way for people, especially Hispanics, to excel and be 
successful in life. Jake remains an active member of my own Veteran's 
Committee, carrying on as a voice for our new generation of veterans 
returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
  Mr. Speaker, Jake Ignacio Alarid is a man who has selflessly given 
his time and efforts to the Los Angeles community and to Hispanic 
veterans across the country. He has become an icon in our community and 
has impacted the lives of countless men, women, and children during his 
lifetime. Jake exemplifies the true meaning of service to one's country 
and service to others, and for that his community is grateful. I 
respectfully ask that you and my other distinguished colleagues join me 
in wishing Jake a very happy 80th birthday.

                          ____________________