Recognizing Valerie Prehoda on Her Induction Into the Michigan Tech President Council of Alumnae

Floor Speech

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Mr. BERGMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Valerie Prehoda for being inducted into the Michigan Tech Presidential Council of Alumnae. This well-deserved honor reflects her steadfast dedication to her fellow Servicemembers, the communities throughout the Upper Peninsula, and our Nation.

Ms. Prehoda graduated from Michigan Tech in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences, concentrating on archaeology. To help pay her way through school, she worked at the university's copper mine while remaining engaged in many extracurricular activities. She was a member of the soccer, gymnastics, and women's hockey teams while also participating in MTU Aquanauts and assisting in SCUBA instruction.

Following her graduation in 1983, Ms. Prehoda was accepted into the United States Marine Corps as an officer. After 10 years of active duty, she was transferred to the reserves, where she served as museum director and Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act coordinator for the Cocopah tribe in Arizona. In 2001, Ms. Prehoda was redeployed following the invasion of Iraq. There she completed two combat tours, surviving a missile attack in northern Kuwait in March 2003, and retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in 2016 after 30 years of civil and military service.

Throughout her distinguished career, Ms. Prehoda received a plethora of awards and commendations, including, but not limited to, a Joint Service Achievement Medal, a Navy Unit Commendation with a bronze star, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and a Presidential Unit Citation for OIF combat support. Upon retiring, Ms. Prehoda continues to serve her country through memberships in various Veteran organizations such as the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Marine Corps League, and many more.

Mr. Speaker, let us all join in recognizing Valerie Prehoda for receiving the prestigious honor of being inducted into the Michigan Tech Presidential Council of Alumnae. I thank her for her enduring commitment to Veterans, her community, and our great country.

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