(September 18, 2007) Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-34) thanks soldiers at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center for their service to our country during a luncheon sponsored by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. The center serves more than 150,000 active and retired personnel from all branches of the military. The center is named after Major Walter Reed, an army surgeon who led the team which confirmed that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes rather than direct contact. Since its origins, the facility has grown from a bed capacity of 80 patients to approximately 5,500 rooms.