[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 148 (Wednesday, September 13, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO MEMBERS OF THE CIVIL AIR PATROL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROBIN L. KELLY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 2017

  Ms. KELLY of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the 
following Proclamation:
  Whereas, members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), founded in December 
of 1941, have honorably served our country for 76 years;
  Whereas, CAP has moved its Illinois Wing Headquarters to the Illinois 
Second Congressional District at Bult Field in Will County;
  Whereas, in all 50 states, as well as in the Virgin Islands, Puerto 
Rico, and the District of Columbia, CAP serves the American Air Force 
in times of need;
  Whereas, CAP's 57,000 members not only protect the American people, 
but build and support American's next generation of leaders through 
scholarships, education, and training;
  Whereas, CAP diligently strives toward its three main initiatives: 
aerospace education, cadet training, and emergency services for the 
U.S. Air Force. Through state and local offices, CAP fosters an ethos 
of civil aviation and public service in local conununities;
  Whereas, the Civil Air Patrol volunteers perform 90 percent of the 
country's inland search and rescue missions;
  Whereas, CAP's Illinois Wing received an overall ``excellent'' rating 
in its biannual U.S. Air Force evaluation and rescue mission;
  Whereas, the Illinois Wing operates out of 35 locations statewide, 
and hosts 622 adult volunteer members, 543 cadets, 686 voting-age 
members, 673 emergency responders and 124 aircrew members;
  Whereas, the Illinois Wing's volunteer members conducted 2,147 hours 
flown in 2015;
  Whereas, the Illinois Wing flew 399 real-world sorties and conducted 
71 ground sorties during 2015. In addition, its members led two missing 
aircraft finds, four tornado or flooding disaster relief missions, and 
20 counterdrug reconnaissance missions;
  Whereas, the Illinois Wing hosts the Johnson Flight Academy, which 
attracts aspiring pilots from all corners of this country; and
  Whereas, the Illinois Wing conducted 62 training missions in 2015, 
which consisted of 357 flights and 229 ground sorties: Now, therefore, 
be it
  Resolved, by the House of Representatives of the United States of 
America, That the contributions of the Illinois Civil Air Patrol be 
recognized and honored.

                          ____________________