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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
3Representatives seek to honor all veterans and active duty
4military personnel, especially those who have achieved a high
5level of distinction and excellence in their service to our
6country; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Commander Luis Alva of the United States Navy will
8become the Commanding Officer of the USS Vandegrift (FFG-48) on
9May 31, 2013; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Commander Alva had previously served as the
11Executive Officer of the USS Reuben James (FFG-57); and
 
12    WHEREAS, Commander Alva's naval career began in July of
131991, when he was accepted into the United States Naval Academy
14Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island; after graduating,
15he was accepted into the United States Naval Academy; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Commander Alva graduated from the United States
17Naval Academy in 1996, receiving a bachelor's degree in
18political science, and was commissioned as a naval officer; and
 
19    WHEREAS, Commander Alva's first tour of duty was aboard the
20USS Fahrion (FFG-22), which included a goodwill and recruiting

 

 

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1tour of the Great Lakes, visiting cities in both the United
2States and Canada; and
 
3    WHEREAS, Commander Alva served aboard the USS Cape St.
4George (CG-71) from 1998 to 2000, completing deployments
5throughout the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf with the USS
6Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Commander Alva served as the weapons and combat
8systems officer on the USS San Jacinto (CG-56) from 2003 to
92005; while aboard the San Jacinto, he participated in
10Operation Iraqi Freedom during a Mediterranean and Red Sea
11deployment and in the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2004
12deployment; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Commander Alva's shore tours include service as an
14instructor at the Tactical Training Group - Atlantic in Dam
15Neck, Virginia and as the Operations Branch Chief for Ballistic
16Missile Defense (J3 Staff) at the United States Strategic
17Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; and
 
18    WHEREAS, Commander Alva holds a master's degree in national
19security affairs from the United States Navy Postgraduate
20School; he also received his Joint Professional Military
21Education (Phase 1) from the United States Naval War College;
22and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Commander Alva has been awarded the Defense
2Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (3 Gold
3Stars), and the Naval Achievement Medal, along with numerous
4other unit and service awards; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Commander Alva is a native of Chicago and the son
6of Investigator Joseph L. Alva, Cook County Sheriff's Office
7Fugitive Unit (Retired), and Deputy Sheriff Irene Alva, Cook
8County Sheriff's Office (Retired); therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11we congratulate United States Navy Commander Luis Alva on his
12new command as Captain of the USS Vandegrift, honors his high
13level of distinction throughout his naval career, and gives our
14best wishes for his continued success as he leads the officers
15and sailors of this proud warship as it protects our nation;
16and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
18presented to Commander Luis Alva as a symbol of our esteem and
19respect.