A RESOLUTION HONORING THE CIVIL AIR PATROL AND EXPRESSING GRATITUDE FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. D. Short & Sen. Lawson

Reps. Berry, Bush, Carson, Collins, Dukes, Gorman, Gray, Harris, Heffernan, Hensley, Hilovsky, Lambert, Lynn, S. Moore, Osienski, Ross Levin, Snyder-Hall, Spiegelman, Yearick, Bolden; Sens. Brown, Buckson, Cruce, Hansen, Hocker, Hoffner, Huxtable, Lockman, Mantzavinos, Paradee, Pettyjohn, Pinkney, Poore, Richardson, Seigfried, Sokola, Sturgeon, Townsend, Walsh, Wilson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 96

A RESOLUTION HONORING THE CIVIL AIR PATROL AND EXPRESSING GRATITUDE FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), conceived in the days leading up to World War II by aviation visionary Gill Robb Wilson, was officially established on December 1, 1941, by Administrative Order No. 9 of the Office of Civilian Defense, and led by Brigadier General John F. Curry, USAAC, marking the beginning of a proud tradition of volunteer service to the nation; and

WHEREAS, during World War II, CAP volunteers patrolled the nation's coastlines, performed search and rescue missions, and gallantly executed homeland defense operations, earning the organization a reputation for bravery and effectiveness, which led to the issuance of Executive Order 9339 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt transferring CAP to the War Department; and

WHEREAS, CAP was permanently established as a benevolent, non-combatant organization through President Harry S. Truman in 1946, to promote aviation, foster citizenship, and provide training and education to both cadet and senior members; and

WHEREAS, in 1948, CAP was designated the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force, authorizing the Secretary of the Air Force to assign resources and personnel to support CAP’s operations; and

WHEREAS, today, CAP’s over 60,000 members nationwide—including cadets, senior members, and educators—continue to serve with distinction by performing 90% of inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center, providing emergency services, aerospace education, and developing young leaders through its cadet program; and

WHEREAS, CAP’s governance, as laid out in its federally chartered Constitution and Bylaws, reflects its unique status as a nonprofit civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, and includes oversight by the Board of Governors, National Headquarters, and cooperative agreements with the Air Force that ensure mission alignment, fiscal accountability, and safety; and

WHEREAS, CAP’s impact is not limited to national efforts, but extends to each state through local Squadrons located throughout the State provide critical emergency services, youth development opportunities, and aviation education tailored to community needs; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Wing of the Civil Air Patrol celebrates 25 years of partnership with the Delaware Department of Transportation providing infrastructure and traffic monitoring along with collaboration between the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and local EMA’s to enhance the State’ emergency response capabilities; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware wing boasts 380 members, 145 cadets, and 245 senior members and provides a structured cadet program that develops leadership, character, and community service in Delaware’s youth; and

WHEREAS, the Headquarters of the Delaware wing is located on the Dover Air Force Base and Squadrons are located throughout the State of Delaware and Elkton, Maryland in the following locations: New Castle (DE-001), Claymont (DE-004), Dover (DE-006), Newark (DE-008) and (DE-022), Georgetown (DE-019), Middletown (DE-025), and Elkton (DE-020)

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of the 153rd General, the Senate concurring therein, express their utmost appreciation for the Civil Air Patrol’s distinguished history, its commitment to community service, and the invaluable contributions of its members to the safety and well-being of our state and nation.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly encourages all Delawareans to honor and support the volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol who selflessly dedicate their time and expertise to the public good.

SYNOPSIS

This House Concurrent Resolution expresses gratitude to the men and women of the Civil Air Patrol for their outstanding service to the State of Delaware.