[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 3, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E180]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING CADET COLONEL SLATER SHANNON FOR EARNING THE GENERAL CARL 
                            A. SPAATZ AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LLOYD SMUCKER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 3, 2026

  Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to congratulate and recognize 
Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Cadet Colonel Slater Shannon for earning the 
General Carl A. Spaatz Award.
  Cadet Colonel Shannon is the 2,574th individual in history to receive 
the General Carl A. Spaatz award. Named after General Spaatz, the first 
Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and first chairman of the 
CAP National Board, the award is the highest honor that a CAP cadet can 
receive. Qualifying individuals spend years in the cadet program and 
undergo physical training, academic preparation, and leadership 
development.
  Cadet Colonel Shannon serves with the Jesse Jones Composite Squadron 
304, based at Lancaster Airport, of the Pennsylvania Wing Civil Air 
Patrol. During his time with CAP, he served as Cadet Commander of 
Squadron 304, was Primary Representative to the Pennsylvania Wing Cadet 
Advisory Council and assisted in multiple emergency service missions. 
He currently serves as the Secretary for the Northeast Region Committee 
of CAP. Cadet Colonel Shannon is also an accomplished student both in 
his CAP service and his private life, having completed aerospace 
education programs provided through the military while sustaining a 
4.07 GPA. His accomplishments have earned recognition not just from 
myself, but from President Donald J. Trump, who wrote to him a letter 
of recognition.
  The General Carl A. Spaatz Award goes to an average of five cadets 
out of one thousand, and the accomplishments of Cadet Colonel Slater 
Shannon merit him this prestigious honor. I thank Cadet Colonel Shannon 
for his selfless service to this country and I congratulate him on 
receiving this prestigious recognition. I look forward to seeing what 
his bright future holds.

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