[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 25, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H290]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING HARVEY DRAHOS

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Washington (Ms. Strickland) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. STRICKLAND. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
service of Harvey Drahos, a beloved World War II veteran who lives in 
the South Puget Sound of Washington State.
  A member of America's Greatest Generation, he joined the military in 
1943 and rose to the rank of technician fifth grade.
  Like many of our World War II heroes, Mr. Drahos was wounded on the 
front lines, and as the Battle of Okinawa went on, he made a promise: 
If I survive, I vow to help people.
  Like many of his generation, he made serving our great Nation and its 
citizens a cornerstone of his life's work.
  Post-military service, he served on multiple service organization 
boards and dedicated 53 years of active community service and 
leadership to Washington State.
  One piece of Mr. Drahos' story that stood out to me is that while on 
the battlefield in Japan, he recovered a cherished photo album. After 
decades of searching for the family it belonged to, he was able to get 
it back to the Nakamoto family in Okinawa. This selfless act helped a 
family reunite with their past loved ones, transcending the boundaries 
of war with a kind act of humanity.
  Madam Speaker, Harvey Drahos exemplifies courage, selfless service, 
and love for others. He recently celebrated his 100th birthday and is 
the last living member of his World War II military unit. I am honored 
and proud to recognize him for his service in combat and his love and 
compassion for our Nation.


                  Congratulating Alfie Alvarado-Ramos

  Ms. STRICKLAND. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lourdes 
``Alfie'' Alvarado-Ramos, who will retire at the end of this month as 
director of the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.
  I congratulate Alfie on an exemplary and distinguished career serving 
the American people and my fellow Washingtonians for more than five 
decades.
  Alfie enlisted in the Army in 1971, rising to the rank of troop 
command sergeant major at Madigan Army Medical Center, part of Joint 
Base Lewis-McChord in my district.
  After retiring from the military in 1993, Alfie joined the Washington 
State Department of Veterans Affairs and has served as its director for 
the last decade. Under her leadership, the department was recognized as 
the leading State veterans affairs department in the entire Nation, 
offering the largest portfolio of services.
  Madam Speaker, throughout her career, Alfie has broken barriers and 
empowered the next generation of soldiers to lead at the highest levels 
of military and public service. More importantly, she has been 
instrumental in making sure that our veterans are never forgotten.
  I thank Director Alvarado-Ramos for her selfless service to our 
veterans, the State of Washington, and our Nation. She is a true 
patriot indeed.

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