[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 162 (Tuesday, October 11, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CELEBRATING RETIRED ARMY LIEUTENANT COLONEL RODERICK ``RICO'' ALVENDIA 
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY AT WEST 
     POINT AND A TREMENDOUS MILESTONE OF LIFE ON HIS 52ND BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 11, 2022

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute 
to celebrate a dear friend and committed servant across the Country, 
retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Roderick ``Rico'' Alvendia upon his 
appointment to the board of directors at the U.S. Military Academy at 
West Point; and celebrating his 52nd birthday.
  President Joe Biden has appointed New Orleans attorney and retired 
Army Lieutenant Colonel Roderick ``Rico'' Alvendia to the board of 
directors at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Biden selected 
Alvendia to serve a three-year term on the board. He will advise the 
president on the ongoing status and morale of the U.S. Military 
Academy.
  Since 1802, West Point has educated and trained future officers to 
lead in the U.S. Army, and Alvendia will serve on its historic 200-
year-old Board of Directors alongside senior members of Congress, 
including U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, U.S. Senator Richard Burr, and 
fellow Iraq War veteran U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
  Alvendia served honorably as an Army Officer for 25 years and 
received the Bronze Star Medal for his service during combat operations 
in Iraq in 2005 with the Louisiana National Guard 256th Brigade Combat 
Team, where he was part of an international team of lawyers who 
assisted Iraqi prosecutors in their criminal trials against insurgents.
  A Loyola Law School graduate, Alvendia dedicates his time to raising 
his son, Noah, and co-managing the Alvendia, Kelly and Demarest Law 
Firm as a successful trial lawyer, while also helping Louisiana 
veterans in need. In 2013, together with other Iraq and Afghanistan war 
veterans, Alvendia started the Legion of Mars Mardi Gras Krewe, the 
first New Orleans carnival organization established to honor U.S. 
military veterans and their families. Alvendia and the Mars Krewe have 
since helped thousands of local veterans while deployed or in financial 
hardship. Alvendia is also recognized as a major philanthropist 
throughout Louisiana, assuring those less fortunate are never left 
behind. Alvendia is also recognized as a major philanthropist 
throughout Louisiana, assuring those less fortunate are never left 
behind.
  I am beyond proud of my friend as he represents his fellow New 
Orleanians and Louisianans, continuing to help local veterans as he 
serves on the Board of Visitors. Alvendia will continue working at his 
law firm and remain based in New Orleans while traveling to New York 
and Washington, D.C. throughout his 3-year Presidential Appointment.
  A huge congratulations to retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Roderick 
``Rico'' Alvendia. It is a remarkable achievement that deserves to be 
celebrated and marked in the most fitting way. We thank him for his 
service, while celebrating his 52nd birthday.

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