[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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