[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E53]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE SERVICE OF LOURDES E. ``ALFIE'' ALVARADO-RAMOS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MARILYN STRICKLAND

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 25, 2023

  Ms. STRICKLAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
service of Lourdes Alvarado-Ramos, also known as Alfie. After a career 
that has spanned over 52 years of distinguished service in the military 
and public service, Alfie will retire from her role as Director of the 
Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs at the end of this 
month. I wish to recognize her enormous contributions to the lives of 
servicemembers and veterans and to express our nation's gratitude for 
her enduring service.
  Born in Puerto Rico, Alfie enlisted in the United States Army in 
1971. She would rise to the rank of Troop Command Sergeant Major 
overseeing the Madigan Army Medical Center at Fort Lewis. Upon her 
retirement from military service in 1993, Alfie continued her 
commitment to service with the Washington State Department of Veterans 
Affairs (WDVA) and has served as the Director of WDVA for the last 
decade. Before then, she served as Superintendent for the Washington 
Soldiers Home in Orting and the Washington Veterans Home and was the 
Deputy Director and Assistant Director of Operations for the agency at 
large.
  Under Alfie's leadership, the Washington State Department of Veterans 
Affairs has been recognized as the leading state veteran's affairs 
department in the nation, offering the largest portfolio of services. 
These programs include suicide prevention, clinical counseling, 
military spouse community integration, peer support, transitional 
housing, apprenticeships, long-term care, and services for women and 
LGBTQ+ veterans.
  For her service to the veteran community in Washington State and our 
nation at large, Alfie has received the Army Legion of Merit Medal and 
the Military Order of Medical Merit. She has also received state and 
national awards that include the Governor's Distinguished Management 
Leadership Award and the Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary's 
Leadership Award. She presently serves as an executive member of the 
National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs and the 
National Association of State Veterans Homes.
  Mr. Speaker, Lourdes Alvarado-Ramos exemplifies a devotion to public 
service and a commitment to providing exceptional public service to 
veterans at the highest level. Through her career, Alfie has broken 
barriers and empowered the next generation of soldiers, especially 
women, to lead at the highest levels of military and public service. I 
am proud to recognize Director Alvarado-Ramos.

                          ____________________