[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 178 (Tuesday, November 22, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         COMMEMORATING THE CIVIL AIR PATROL'S 70TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL T. McCAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 22, 2011

  Mr. McCAUL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 70th 
anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol. Born on December 1, 1941 in the 
days before the horrific attack on Pearl Harbor, the Civil Air Patrol 
is comprised of patriotic Americans whose flying skills and bravery 
have come to the rescue of this great nation again and again.
  In World War II, as German U-boats sank American ships along our 
coasts and threatened our war effort, thousands of volunteers from the 
Civil Air Patrol risked their lives to safeguard our shores and deter 
the enemy's efforts. These ``sub chasers'' spotted 143 German 
submarines, attacking 57 and sinking 2.
  This volunteer force was so successful that after the war President 
Harry Truman signed a law making the Civil Air Patrol a benevolent, 
non-profit organization. Congress followed suit and in 1948 permanently 
established the organization as the auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. 
Its three primary missions, as established by law, are emergency 
services, cadet programs, and aerospace education.
  Today the Civil Air Patrol educates young people about aviation and 
aerospace and encourages them to engage in civic and military 
leadership. It continues to save lives by participating in 90 percent 
of the Air Force's inland search and rescue missions. And when it comes 
to natural disasters, volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol can be counted 
on to assist more than 1,600 communities across America. They also work 
with the American Red Cross on humanitarian missions, coming to the 
rescue when other means of transportation are not available.
  In the last year, Civil Air Patrol volunteers participated in 1,016 
search and rescue missions and helped save 113 lives. This volunteer 
organization leads the way for similar groups around the world and sets 
an example for other countries who wish to have the same success. We 
can be proud that America's Civil Air Patrol is the gold standard for 
search and rescue, aerospace education, and emergency services 
operations.
  So today we not only congratulate the Civil Air Patrol on 70 years of 
outstanding service, but we also thank them for coming to the aid of 
this great nation time and time again. Their bravery and civic 
leadership serve as a beacon of pride to the grateful Americans they 
serve.

                          ____________________