[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 134 (Thursday, December 7, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11492-S11493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING THE CIVIL AIR PATROL

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, as a member of the Civil Air Patrol 
for more than two decades and now commander of its Congressional 
Squadron, I am proud to speak to you today about CAP, an all-volunteer 
organization celebrating 65 years of service to the United States of 
America.
  CAP was created on Dec. 1, 1941, to assist the U.S. military. During 
World War II, when Nazi U-boat submarines had infested our coastal 
waters, volunteer aviators of CAP's Coastal Patrol distinguished 
themselves valiantly. It was a time when the U.S. military was unable 
to effectively counter these submarines. Flying small single- and twin-
engine aircraft armed with 50 and 100-pound bombs, these brave men and 
women flew more than 24 million miles during 86,000 over-water 
missions--a total of 244,600 flight hours to help win the battle 
against U-boats that were preying on coastal shipping.
  Despite the risk of death, they spotted 173 subs, attacked 57, hit 10 
and sank 2. The Coastal Patrol aircrews also called in aid for 91 ships 
in distress, saved 363 survivors of sub attacks, discovered 17 floating 
mines, and flew 5,684 special convoy missions.
  Fifty-nine members of these courageous aircrews died, 26 were lost at 
sea, and 7 others were seriously injured. They were inspired by the 
highest sense of patriotism, and they served with pride.
  Today, CAP continues that tradition as one of the most unique 
volunteer organizations in America, consisting of everyday heroes from 
pilots, teachers, and youth counselors to technology experts, 
communicators, and more. These volunteers, most employed at a paying 
job, perform 95 percent of inland search-and-rescue missions in the 
continental United States.
  Whether performing search and rescue missions or helping communities 
recover from floods, wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, or terrorist 
attacks, CAP members are there to aid their Nation. In 2005 alone, they 
saved 73 lives.
  Following last year's terrible gulf coast hurricanes, 1,800 CAP 
volunteers from 17 States converged on hurricane-ravaged communities, 
serving over 50,000 volunteer hours. These patriotic members flew 1,000 
air missions during 2,000 hours of flight time and provided more than 
2,000 time-critical images of affected areas. They also ensured the 
well-being of Americans by visiting 4,266 homes, contacting 8,500 
residents, and distributing 30,000 pounds of relief supplies.
  Coming full circle from its beginnings in World War II, Civil Air 
Patrol is again taking on homeland security responsibilities for the 
Nation. These include assisting the Air Force in ensuring the skies 
above Washington, DC, are safe and flying target-intercept training 
missions for U.S. military pilots all at a low cost of about $100 per 
mission.
  With 530 aircraft and thousands of trained aircrew members, CAP is a 
tremendous asset to the United States at a critical juncture in our 
history. This capability, however, is now greatly enhanced because CAP, 
over the past few years, had the foresight to invest in developing and 
obtaining sophisticated new technologies to help with its emergency 
missions. Today it uses two high-technology imaging systems Airborne 
Real-time Cueing Hyperspectral Enhanced Reconnaissance, ARCHER, and 
satellite-transmitted digital imaging systems, SDIS, to assist in 
search and rescue, disaster-assessment missions and other missions. 
These technologies make it a vital asset to the Air Force, State 
governments and local communities.
  CAP also provides exceptional growth opportunities to 22,550 youth in 
cadet programs, which stress leadership and moral responsibility and 
teach aviation and emergency response skills. Through CAP, these youth 
gain access to scholarship opportunities, top national summer flight 
academies, flight training in powered and glider aircraft, and programs 
that emphasize leadership and careers in aviation. They routinely help 
communities when disaster strikes and other emergencies occur by 
operating radios, helping park

[[Page S11493]]

aircraft, and serving on ground search and survey teams.
  In addition, CAP's Aerospace Education Program touches over 400 
educators, over 20,000 cadets, and thousands of other youths in 
classrooms across America by teaching them aerospace concepts that 
emphasize aviation's connection to history, math, science, government, 
and economics.
  CAP's Missions for America annually impact the lives of thousands of 
Americans. These 56,000 volunteers all everyday heroes are deserving of 
our highest praise. Please join me in honoring and recognizing the 
Civil Air Patrol on the occasion of its 65th anniversary of service to 
our great Nation.

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