[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 24 (Thursday, March 7, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E302-E303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING CIVIL AIR PATROL FOR 60 YEARS OF SERVICE TO UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. BOB BARR

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 28, 2002

  Mr. BARR of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of 
H. Con. Res. 311, recognizing the Civil Air Patrol for 60 years of 
service to the United States.

[[Page E303]]

  The Civil Air Patrol has been involved in airborne and ground-based 
search and rescue for over half a century. Founded on December 1, 1941, 
to counter the threat of enemy submarines operating off the east coast, 
the Civil Air Patrol has evolved into a highly trained emergency 
response team of volunteer members, responding to needs of emergency 
preparedness agencies throughout the nation.
  With more than 53,000 members, CAP manages the world's largest fleet 
of light, single-engine aircraft--totaling 530--which fly more than 85 
percent of inland search and rescue missions.
  The Civil Air Patrol also aggressively and heroically performs its 
other two missions mandated by the Congress: Aerospace Education and 
Cadet Programs. In fulfilling these missions, the CAP serves as an 
important liaison between today's planners of our Nation's air strength 
and tomorrow's pilots and air navigators.
  Not only does the CAP fulfill all these missions, it also provides 
disaster relief services, and assists in humanitarian services and 
counterdrug efforts; CAP also performs many other missions in direct 
support of the U.S. Air Force. Many CAP members serve as aerospace 
education instructors, ground team members, and observers during search 
and rescue missions. They also serve as radio operators, mission 
coordinators, public affairs officers, and cadet mentors. To prepare 
volunteers to serve their communities, CAP provides training in 20 
different specialty tracks, including technical instruction in flight 
operations, emergency services, and communications. In addition, 
members can participate in management and executive leadership training 
that complements Air Force professional development.
  The Civil Air Patrol is structured around the core values of 
Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, and Respect. The core values 
reflected in all CAP members exemplify the highest standards of 
personal and professional conduct.
  I am proud to represent a number of squadrons, which make up the 
Civil Air Patrol Wing of Georgia, including: the Georgia State 
Legislative and the Georgia Wing Headquarters Composite Squadron which 
flies out of Dobbins Air Reserve Base; the Bartow-Etowah Composite 
Squadron; the Rome Composite Squadron; the Cobb County Composite 
Squadron; the West Georgia Composite Squadron; and the Gwinnett County 
Composite Squadron. I am proud to recognize all of them for their 
efforts, and I commend them for their generosity and concern for 
others. They reflect the commitment to voluntary community service 
essential in solving our nation's most pressing problems. By reaching 
out to those in need, they set an outstanding example to all Americans; 
especially our young people.

                          ____________________