HR0396 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0396 LRB098 12239 GRL 46376 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives seek to honor all veterans and active duty military personnel, especially those who have achieved a high level of distinction and excellence in their service to our country; and

WHEREAS, Commander Luis Alva of the United States Navy will become the Commanding Officer of the USS Vandegrift (FFG-48) on May 31, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Commander Alva had previously served as the Executive Officer of the USS Reuben James (FFG-57); and

WHEREAS, Commander Alva's naval career began in July of 1991, when he was accepted into the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island; after graduating, he was accepted into the United States Naval Academy; and

WHEREAS, Commander Alva graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1996, receiving a bachelor's degree in political science, and was commissioned as a naval officer; and

WHEREAS, Commander Alva's first tour of duty was aboard the USS Fahrion (FFG-22), which included a goodwill and recruiting tour of the Great Lakes, visiting cities in both the United States and Canada; and

WHEREAS, Commander Alva served aboard the USS Cape St. George (CG-71) from 1998 to 2000, completing deployments throughout the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group; and

WHEREAS, Commander Alva served as the weapons and combat systems officer on the USS San Jacinto (CG-56) from 2003 to 2005; while aboard the San Jacinto, he participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom during a Mediterranean and Red Sea deployment and in the Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2004 deployment; and

WHEREAS, Commander Alva's shore tours include service as an instructor at the Tactical Training Group - Atlantic in Dam Neck, Virginia and as the Operations Branch Chief for Ballistic Missile Defense (J3 Staff) at the United States Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; and

WHEREAS, Commander Alva holds a master's degree in national security affairs from the United States Navy Postgraduate School; he also received his Joint Professional Military Education (Phase 1) from the United States Naval War College; and

WHEREAS, Commander Alva has been awarded the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (3 Gold Stars), and the Naval Achievement Medal, along with numerous other unit and service awards; and

WHEREAS, Commander Alva is a native of Chicago and the son of Investigator Joseph L. Alva, Cook County Sheriff's Office Fugitive Unit (Retired), and Deputy Sheriff Irene Alva, Cook County Sheriff's Office (Retired); therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate United States Navy Commander Luis Alva on his new command as Captain of the USS Vandegrift, honors his high level of distinction throughout his naval career, and gives our best wishes for his continued success as he leads the officers and sailors of this proud warship as it protects our nation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Commander Luis Alva as a symbol of our esteem and respect.