[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 121 (Tuesday, July 15, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E672-E673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING MR. GREGORY J. ZAGAR FOR HIS DECADES OF SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 2025

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Gregory J. 
Zagar for his decades of dedicated service with the United States Air 
Force and the Air Force Research Laboratory in Rome, New York.
  In 1974, Mr. Zagar enlisted in the United States Air Force and served 
until 1982, when after 8 years of service he was honorably discharged, 
he joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve at Griffiss Air Force Base in 
Rome, New York, where he would continue to serve at the rank of Captain 
until 1985. From 1985 to 1996, Mr. Zagar served as part of the New York 
Air National Guard based at Hancock Field, where he earned the rank of 
Lieutenant Colonel and returned to the U.S. Air Force Reserve at 
Hanscom Air Force Base, having achieved the title of Colonel.
  Since 2004, Mr. Zagar has served in several leadership positions in 
the Computing and Communications Division at the Air Force Research 
Laboratory in Rome, New York. The

[[Page E673]]

Computing and Communications Division is responsible for the discovery, 
development, and integration of affordable trusted systems, high-
performance computing, network systems, and quantum processing and 
communications for our air, space, and cyberspace domains. His 
leadership roles within the division included branch chief for six 
different mission branches across both the Information Directorate and 
Sensors Directorate, under titles such as Assistant Division Chief, 
Deputy Division Chief, and Division Chief. In his current role as 
Division Chief, Mr. Zagar oversees over 120 scientists, engineers, and 
staff as well as the execution of $425 million via guidance on 
defining, budgeting, and managing diverse technical areas.
  Among his incredible contributions to Air Force Research is Mr. 
Zagar's introduction and establishment of a new mission branch within 
the Computing and Communications Division of the AFRL/RI for Quantum 
Information Sciences and Technology (known as RITQ). RITQ has played a 
critical role in establishing and maintaining the world-class 
facilities for building, testing, and demonstrating the capabilities of 
new technologies to meet warfighters' current and anticipated future 
needs. Additional assets expanded and improved due to Mr. Zagar's 
unwavering dedication include the 300-acre ``Controllable Contested 
Environment'' Stockbridge facility, the 78-acre Newport ``Upside-Down 
Air Force,'' the Extreme Computing Facility, and the Communication 
System & Technologies Laboratory. Mr. Zagar even came up with the 
vision and led collaboration on the concept, design, and construction 
for the Innovare Advancement Center, which succeeded in creating an 
open research environment where government engineers can partner with 
industry and academia to advance technology.
  Mr. Zagar has been recognized for his outstanding accomplishments and 
contributions to the United States Air Force over his many years of 
service at bases in New York's 21st district. His awards include the 
Meritorious Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, two Commendation 
Medals, two Achievement Medals, the Combat Readiness Medal, the 
National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and the 
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, which he has received five times. Mr. 
Zagar has used his experience as a pilot and warfighter with the United 
States Air Force, U.S. Air Force Reserve, and New York Air National 
Guard to contribute to the advancement of warfighter command and 
control technology, ultimately playing a tremendous role in shaping our 
current world-class computing and communications facilities and 
engineers.
  On behalf of New York's 21st Congressional District, I would like to 
commend Mr. Gregory J. Zagar for his tremendous contribution to our 
district through his work for the United States Air Force Research 
Laboratory in Rome, New York. I am proud to honor Mr. Zagar for his 
outstanding accomplishments and thank him for his over 40 years of 
service and commitment to the advancement of computing and 
communication technology for the United States Air Force.

                          ____________________