[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 50 (Thursday, March 21, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING ERIC WAGENAAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 21, 2024

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the storied career 
and continuing service of Watertown's newly appointed City Manager, 
U.S. Army Retired Colonel Eric Wagenaar.
  Mr. Wagenaar is a native of Carthage, New York, and graduated from 
Canton's St. Lawrence University with a Sociology degree in 1983. Upon 
his graduation, Mr. Wagenaar joined the Army as an Infantry Officer 
working primarily in command, training, and operations positions. His 
time in command ended in 2002 in Baumholder, Germany. In 2009, after 26 
years of patriotic service, Mr. Wagenaar retired at the rank of 
Colonel. Following his retirement, Mr. Wagenaar took on the role of 
Civilian Plans and Operations Officer for the 10th Mountain Division 
before being promoted to Fort Drum Garrison's Director of Plans, 
Training, Mobilization, and Security in 2012. In 2015, Mr. Wagenaar was 
promoted once again to Deputy to the Garrison Commander and performed 
admirably in this role for 9 years before being named Watertown City 
Manager.
  While serving in his role as Deputy to the Garrison Commander, Mr. 
Wagenaar's leadership was nothing short of exemplary. He was 
responsible for many duties on base that kept the day-to-day operations 
running smoothly and he performed each to the highest level. Whether 
helping to resolve installation problems, supporting training regimes, 
or guiding the direction of administrative programs, Mr. Wagenaar 
fulfilled his duties to the highest of standards.
  Throughout his career, Mr. Wagenaar's high quality of work has earned 
him several honors and awards including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze 
Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with six oak leaf clusters, 
and the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal. Furthermore, his aptitude 
in the field has earned him the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Ranger 
Tab, the Expert Infantryman Badge, and U.S. Army and German Army 
Airborne Wings.
  On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I am honored to 
recognize U.S. Army Retired Colonel Eric Wagenaar for his decades of 
patriotic service. I look forward to witnessing his many future 
successes as Watertown's City Manager.

                          ____________________