[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E42]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATING RALPH FORQUERA ON HIS RETIREMENT AS THE EXECUTIVE 
                  DIRECTOR OF THE INDIAN HEALTH BOARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM McDERMOTT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 13, 2016

  Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the distinguished 
career of Ralph Forquera, a tireless champion of the health and welfare 
of American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban areas.
   As Ralph prepares to step down after more than two decades as 
executive director of the Seattle Indian Health Board, I commend him 
for his important work and wish him the very best on his next steps.
   Under Ralph's direction, the Seattle Indian Health Board has become 
one of the nation's largest community health programs for urban 
American Indians and Alaska Natives. The Health Board now provides a 
full spectrum of clinical care, including direct primary medical, 
dental, mental health, and substance abuse services, to more than 7,000 
individuals. Ralph's leadership has been essential to the Health 
Board's growth and continued successes.
   Throughout his career, Ralph has been a champion of the Native 
American community, especially those who are Native American but not a 
member of or affiliated with a federally recognized tribe. Through his 
advocacy, Ralph never lets us forget about the challenges that urban 
Indians continue to face, including a 26 percent poverty rate as well 
as health disparities and chronic underfunding of health services.
   Ralph knows it can take a long time for federal policy to be updated 
and changed, but he is steadfast in his efforts and never gives up. He 
participated in over a decade of discussions that ultimately led to 
reauthorization of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. He played an 
important role in reauthorizing and making permanent the urban Indian 
health title of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. And Ralph, to 
this day, continues to work to extend the 100 percent Federal Medical 
Assistance Percentage to urban Indian health programs.
   I wish Ralph the best in retirement, and I congratulate him on an 
outstanding career.

                          ____________________