Political Quotes

“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. ____________________”