[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 132 (Friday, September 7, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1837]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. RONALD M. SEGA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 7, 2007

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Madam Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the 
retirement of Dr. Ronald Sega, Under Secretary of the Air Force, and to 
recognize him for his distinguished public service as Director of 
Defense Research and Engineering, Office of the Under Secretary of 
Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, from August 2001 to 
July 2005; and as Under Secretary of the Air Force, from August 2005 to 
August 2007.
  As the Chief Technology Officer for the Department of Defense, Dr. 
Sega interacted with the Executive Branch, Congress, industry, 
academia, and other Federal agencies to develop strategies and support 
plans to align scientific research and engineering development with 
Department goals and objectives to ensure U.S. military technological 
superiority. Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the 
Nation, he established the Department of Defense Combating Terrorism 
Technology Task Force to spearhead the rapid development and fielding 
of defense capabilities critical to the successful execution of 
military operations in support of the global war on terrorism. Dr. Sega 
established Department of Defense technology focus areas on energy and 
power technology, surveillance and knowledge systems, and in the 
National Aerospace Initiative to guide investment and capitalize on 
emerging technological opportunities. Dr. Sega's tireless efforts and 
diplomacy significantly advanced Defense Department international 
engagement and cooperation.
  As the Under Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Sega oversaw, on behalf 
of the Secretary of the Air Force, the recruiting, training, and 
equipping of approximately 690,000 airmen and a budget of approximately 
$110 billion committed to the effective integration of air, space, and 
cyberspace capabilities in support of the Nation's defense. As the 
designated Department of Defense Executive Agent for Space, Dr. Sega 
developed, coordinated, and integrated plans and programs across the 
national security space enterprise instituting a back-to-basics 
approach to space acquisition which redistributed risk from system 
procurement to early-stage science and technology activities. He also 
established the Operationally Responsive Space Office to launch, 
activate, and employ low-cost satellites to provide surge capability, 
to reconstitute or augment existing constellation, or to provide timely 
availability of tailored or new capabilities. As the Air Force Senior 
Executive for Energy, he led the development of the Air Force Energy 
Strategy to incorporate energy consideration in all Air Force 
operations. Dr. Sega instituted best business practices in defense 
space acquisition, championed advances in the science and technology 
workforce, and tirelessly supported the Nation's men and women in 
uniform.
  Dr. Sega is an extraordinary leader, patriot, and intellectual whose 
distinctive accomplishments reflect great credit upon himself and the 
Department of Defense. I am particularly pleased that he will return to 
Colorado to share his skills and experience as vice president at the 
Colorado State University Research Foundation and as a professor of 
systems engineering at Colorado State University.
  I hope my colleagues will join me not only in recognizing the past 
accomplishments of Dr. Sega but also in wishing him all the best in his 
future pursuits.

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