[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 16, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING ARMY VETERAN AND WOUNDED WARRIOR ALEXANDER LOFGREN

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                         HON. RAUL M. GRIJALVA

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 2021

  Mr. GRIJALVA. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a friend, 
not only to myself, but to his colleagues and to this country. I rise 
today to honor United States Army veteran, Alexander Lofgren. Alex 
served the veteran community on behalf of my office in Arizona's Third 
Congressional District. Born March 10, 1989 in Exeter, California, he 
spent many years of his life traveling and living in different states 
as his father served in the military. Alex followed in his father's 
footsteps and joined the military in 2011. He served as a Combat 
Engineer in the Army and only months after he joined, he was deployed 
to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. During his service in 
the Army he lost 4 friends, who we also honor today. SFC Bobby L. 
Estle, PFC Jose O. Belmontes, 2LT David E. Rylander, and SPC Junot M. 
L. Cochilus.
  After being honorably, medically discharged in October 2014, Alex 
began his studies at Arizona State University. He graduated with a 
degree in Political Science and a minor in Anthropology. Shortly after 
graduating, he worked at the Crisis Response Network where he did case 
management answering calls of veterans in crisis and helping them with 
immediate crisis intervention. He later served on then-Congresswoman 
Kyrsten Sinema's Veteran's Advisory Council and Legislative Committee. 
In July 2019, Alex joined our District office in Tucson, AZ through the 
Wounded Warrior Fellowship Program. Alex worked as a constituent 
services representative helping local constituents resolve issues with 
federal agencies, serving as a liaison to local Veterans Service 
Organizations (VSO), and attending local events and meetings on behalf 
of my office.
  Alex loved his plants, enjoyed nature, golf, greenhouses, cooking, 
and local coffee and donut shops. He was an avid photographer and 
always on an adventure that often included enjoying time with his 
partner, Emily, and their dogs, Gunner, Jane, and Nora. Alex had 
visited over 20 national parks. He was passionate about using outdoor 
activities as a means of helping other veterans and embraced the 
activities and serenity nature had to offer. Tragically he passed away 
on April 4, 2021 in a visit to Death Valley National Park.
  We find comfort in knowing that Alex spent his last days doing what 
he enjoyed alongside a person he loved. We have no doubt that his 
heroic actions during the hike that ended so tragically helped keep his 
partner, Emily, alive until search and rescue brought her to safety.
  I want to thank the community from Tucson and beyond for the 
outpouring of support during these difficult months, as well as the 
National Park Service and other federal and local partners who deployed 
every available resource to locate Alex and Emily. To know Alex was to 
know someone who had boundless energy for life and who was focused on 
making a difference in the lives of others. His loss has left a void in 
the hearts of his colleagues and his family. He will forever be a part 
of our family, and my heart is with his parents, Joe and Ruth, and his 
loving partner Emily. Our Nation has lost a hero. I am thankful to have 
known Alexander Lofgren.

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