[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 17 (Thursday, January 26, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E56]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING `ALFIE' ALVARADO-RAMOS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 26, 2023

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my sincerest 
congratulations and to wish a happy retirement to one of my 
constituents and a longtime friend, `Alfie' Alvarado-Ramos. Alfie is 
celebrating her retirement after a lifetime of service.
  Alfie was born in Puerto Rico and served 22 years on active duty 
retiring as the Command Sergeant Major of Madigan Army Medical Center 
and Troop Command, Joint Base Lewis McChord.
  Alfie Alvarado-Ramos joined the Washington State Department of 
Veteran Affairs (WDVA) in 1993 as the Associate Superintendent of the 
Washington Soldiers Home. She then became the Superintendent of the 
Washington Veterans Home, where she later served as the agency's 
Assistant Director and Deputy Director before Gov. Jay lnslee appointed 
her as Director in 2013.
  She established new programs and services to meet the needs of 
Washington's veterans and their families--from opening the new State 
Veterans Home in Walla Walla in 2017 to creating new programs to serve 
military spouses and LGBTQ+ veterans. In recent years, Alvarado-Ramos 
worked with state elected officials and leaders to create a framework 
for suicide prevention efforts statewide, and most recently unveiled a 
988-suicide prevention emblem to generate awareness for the 988 Crisis 
Lifeline.
  Alfie is the recipient of the Army Legion of Merit Medal and Military 
Order of Medical Merit and state and national awards that include the 
Governor's Distinguished Management Leadership Award and the Department 
of Veterans Affairs Secretary's Leadership Award. She is currently 
serving as executive member of the National Association of State 
Directors of Veterans Affairs and National Association of State 
Veterans Home.
  In addition to her work in our community, Alfie's passion for 
ensuring women veterans have a voice in the veteran's community has 
resulted in annual women veterans' conferences, monthly learning 
sessions, and Washington State's participation in the I Am Not 
Invisible Campaign.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor today to celebrate Alfie Alvarado-Ramos 
on her retirement. Her extraordinary leadership and love for her 
community has never wavered. She has made a tremendous difference in 
the state of Washington. Her service to our country and community is 
greatly appreciated and will be long remembered.

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