[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 14 (Monday, January 23, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S50]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO LOURDES E. ``ALFIE'' ALVARADO-RAMOS
Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate Alfie Alvarado-
Ramos, the Director of Washington State's Department of Veterans
Affairs, who will retire on January 31, 2023, after serving Washington
State and our veterans for over 29 years. Alfie's impressive career is
marked by many well-earned accolades, but most of all by her dedication
to serving Washington State and the Nation.
Throughout her military service, Alfie's service has been recognized
with awards and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, Order of
Military Medical Merit, Expert Field Medical Badge, and Meritorious
Service medal. After 22 years, she retired from Active Duty in August
1993 as the command sergeant major of Madigan Army Medical Center and
Troop Command, Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
She has also proven herself a distinguished and passionate leader in
the management of medical services delivery and human resources
management, especially for our veterans. Alfie is an alumna of the
Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government Executive
Program, the University of Washington Executive Management Program, and
holds a master's degree in healthcare administration, and a licensed
nursing home administrator.
As director of Washington State's Department of Veterans Affairs,
Alfie was a member of Governor Jay Inslee's executive cabinet and
chaired the Washington State Military Transition Council. In this
capacity, she has helped the agency lead statewide efforts for the
seamless transition of servicemembers and their families to Washington
State's communities. As a leader in our State, she has been honored
with many well-earned local, State, and national awards, including the
Governor's Distinguished Management Leadership Award and the Department
of Veterans Affairs Secretary's Leadership Award.
Alfie's extraordinary commitment to servicemembers and veterans is
unmatched. Anyone who has worked with Alfie, as I have been honored to
do for many years, knows her tireless dedication and relentless drive
to improve services for members of the military, veterans, and their
families. From mental health to education and training, military spouse
employment, to emergency funding for State veterans homes in the depths
of the COVID pandemic, Alfie has been an incredible partner.
Although there are so many stories I could share about the way Alfie
has fought for veterans in Washington State, there is one in particular
that I will never forget. Back in 2013, the State of Washington, thanks
to Alfie's leadership, secured Federal funding for a veterans home in
Walla Walla. Unfortunately, through a series of bureaucratic mishaps,
our State was in danger of losing that funding--that is, until Alfie
stepped in. She called to let my office know about the problem and was
absolutely furious the Federal Government would pull the rug out from
under those veterans who needed care the most. I couldn't have agreed
more. It was unacceptable--so we didn't accept it. Together, we fought
to keep the funding, and we won. There is now a beautiful veterans home
in Walla Walla thanks to Alfie's tireless dedication to Washington
State veterans.
I will miss working with her in the years ahead, but it has been an
honor to know Alfie throughout her career as dedicated mentor, teacher,
and guide for the next generation of military and veteran leaders. I
know Washington State and the Nation will be in good hands, thanks to
her and her legacy will continue far beyond her own retirement.
I offer my deepest appreciation for Alfie's dedicated service to the
United States of America and Washington State. I ask that my colleagues
join me in congratulating Alfie on her well-earned retirement and
wishing her many years of enjoyment with her family.
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