THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY GILLEN, BARRAR, AUMENT, BEAR, BOBACK, BRADFORD, BROOKS, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, COHEN, DALEY, EVANKOVICH, EVERETT, FLECK, FRANKEL, GEORGE, GILLESPIE, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GRELL, GROVE, HAHN, HARHAI, HENNESSEY, HESS, JAMES, M. K. KELLER, KNOWLES, LONGIETTI, MAJOR, MANN, MARSHALL, MARSICO, MILLARD, MILLER, MILNE, MURT, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER, O'NEILL, QUINN, RAPP, READSHAW, ROCK, ROEBUCK, ROSS, SACCONE, SAYLOR, CULVER, SCHMOTZER, SONNEY, STEVENSON, VEREB AND WATSON, OCTOBER 2, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, OCTOBER 2, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol Cadet

Program.

WHEREAS, The Civil Air Patrol was founded on December 1,

1941, by a fledgling group of volunteer civilian pilots who flew

their own planes to support United States efforts in World War

II, including recording more than 500,000 hours in the air,

sinking two enemy submarines and saving hundreds of crash

victims during the war; and

WHEREAS, After the war the Civil Air Patrol remained a vital

program in servicing national and local agencies and became

known worldwide for its unique emergency services operations by

performing outstanding and critical search and rescue, disaster

relief and other important emergency missions; and

WHEREAS, The Civil Air Patrol, in addition to emergency

services, created two other primary mission areas which are

aerospace education programs and cadet programs; and

WHEREAS, The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program was founded in

Minnesota in October of 1942, in response to demand for Civil

Air Patrol members during the war; and

WHEREAS, The cadet program recruited and trained youth

between 15 and 17 years of age primarily for flight training and

the cadets assisted with tasks at the operational level while

training toward becoming licensed pilots for service in the

Civil Air Patrol and military; and

WHEREAS, The Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program had more than

20,000 cadet youth within the first six months of operation with

a budget of not more than $200 from the Office of Civilian

Defense; and

WHEREAS, After World War II, the Civil Air Patrol was

recognized for its work and deemed a vital organization; and

WHEREAS, In 1946, President Truman signed a bill granting the

Civil Air Patrol a national charter and in 1948, the Civil Air

Patrol became the official auxiliary to the United States Air

Force; and

WHEREAS, In peacetime, the Civil Air Patrol has shifted its

focus to search and rescue missions and continued to support

aerospace education across the nation while still implementing

its Cadet Program. More than 100 lives are saved every year by

Civil Air Patrol members in search and rescue missions

nationwide; and

WHEREAS, In the 1960's the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program

changed focus under the leadership of John V. Sorenson, Director

of Aerospace Education; and

WHEREAS, A military-style rank structure was implemented,

along with four phases each cadet should strive to complete; and

WHEREAS, The Cadet Program started to operate on local levels

and focused most of the program on summer encampment. The Region

Cadet Leadership Schools were also created to provide more

training for older cadets; and

WHEREAS, The Cadet Program has been successful in the

development and motivation of well-rounded young people, who

have become model leaders of our country; and

WHEREAS, The program offers summer camps, leadership and

career training and aerospace education, along with

opportunities for pilot training, and many leaders in aviation

today were once Civil Air Patrol cadets; and

WHEREAS, Currently, there are 26,000 cadets in more than

1,600 local units; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor those who

have sacrificed so much of themselves to participate and excel

in the Civil Air Patrol Cadet Program; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Civil Air Patrol's young men and women who

have served triumphantly in the Cadet Program are inspirational

leaders of our country and are to be recognized for their

courageous triumphs in the program; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize that

October 2012, marks the 70-year anniversary of the Cadet Program

of the Civil Air Patrol and honor all those who have

participated in order to better themselves and their country;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to

Col. Sandra E. Brandon, Commander, PA Wing, PA Wing CAP

Headquarters, Building 3-108, Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, Pa

17003.