[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 74 (Thursday, May 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1167]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      GAO STUDY OF CIVIL AIR PATROL IN HOMELAND SECURITY MISSIONS

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                               speech of

                           HON. PHIL GINGREY

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 12, 2009

  Mr. GINGREY of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support for H.R. 1178, legislation that would direct the Comptroller 
General to conduct a study on the use of Civil Air Patrol personnel to 
support homeland security missions.
  Since its inception in 1941, the Civil Air Patrol has been vital in 
emergency services and disaster relief operations across the United 
States. As the official civilian auxiliary to the United States Air 
Force, the Civil Air Patrol contains over 56,000 of America's finest 
volunteers and owns several thousand aircraft and vehicles to complete 
its missions.
  Furthermore, the Civil Air Patrol has provided the nation's youth and 
general public with aerospace education and created numerous cadet 
programs for young people ages 12-18. These cadet programs help supply 
the necessary skills and resources for our nation's future leaders. Two 
such leaders, Barry and Christiana Loudermilk, reside in the 11th 
District of Georgia, which it has been an honor and privilege to 
represent for the last six years in this great body.
  Despite a very busy and demanding career as both a State Legislator 
and a businessman, Barry Loudermilk is an active officer in the Rome 
Civil Air Patrol Squadron. He also serves as the Squadron Commander of 
the Georgia Civil Air Patrol Legislative Squadron and is a Government 
Affairs Officer for the Georgia Wing Civil Air Patrol. Additionally, 
Barry has been active in his community as a Volunteer Search and Rescue 
Ground Team Leader and a Volunteer Search and Rescue Pilot.
  His daughter, Christiana, has distinguished herself as a leader 
throughout her career in the Civil Air Patrol. Christiana holds the 
rank of Cadet Captain and is a certified ground search and rescue 
specialist. She served as the Cadet Commander of the Rome Composite 
Squadron and attended the 2007 Cadet Officers School at Maxwell Air 
Force Base. For her tireless efforts, Christiana has received the 
Georgia Air Wing Commander's ``Coin of Excellence,'' and was awarded 
the Civil Air Patrol's ``Community Service Award'' for her volunteer 
works in a local hospital.
  In 2008, Christiana served as the Alpha Flight Commander at the 
Georgia Wing encampment and her flight was named the encampment's 
``Honor Flight.'' In addition to serving as Alpha Flight Commander, she 
was selected to attend the ``Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training 
Course'' at Columbus Air Force Base in Columbus, Mississippi. I want to 
publicly thank Christiana for her service and thank the Civil Air 
Patrol for providing this type of quality leadership training to our 
young people.
  Madam Speaker, it is my firm belief that the Civil Air Patrol will 
provide an extraordinary addition to the Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS) if the Comptroller General finds it worthwhile for such 
an endeavor. The Civil Air Patrol has displayed volunteer leadership 
for over 60 years in working with the United States Air Force, and it 
is a leader for developing our nation's youth. I applaud both Barry and 
Christiana Loudermilk for their accomplishments in this organization, 
and I support expanding the mission of the Civil Air Patrol so that 
they can assist DHS in defending the United States. We must use every 
resource necessary to keep America safe, and I am positive that the 
Civil Air Patrol will add to and continue the remarkable job our 
military has provided in defending our nation at home and abroad.

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