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2016 SESSION

16104121D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 94
Offered January 27, 2016
Commending the Civil Air Patrol Virginia Wing.
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Patron-- Hester
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WHEREAS, for 75 years, the Civil Air Patrol Virginia Wing has promoted aerospace education for youth and adults and helped safeguard the residents of the Commonwealth with aerial missions in support of emergency services; and

WHEREAS, the Civil Air Patrol traces its roots to the 1930s, when more than 150,000 civilian aviators advocated for the creation of an auxiliary organization where they could put their skills to use in defense of the nation; and

WHEREAS, the Civil Air Patrol was officially created in 1941 under the direction of the United States Army Air Corps; during World War II, Civil Air Patrol pilots logged more than 500,000 hours of flight time, sank two enemy submarines, and saved hundreds of lives through search and rescue missions; and

WHEREAS, members of the Civil Air Patrol Virginia Wing flew coastal patrols in search of Nazi German submarines and towed targets for air gunnery practice, often at the pilots’ own expense and risk; 65 Civil Air Patrol pilots made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II, including one Virginian; and

WHEREAS, Civil Air Patrol was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1946 and established as an auxiliary of the United States Air Force in 1948; the Civil Air Patrol Virginia Wing is headquartered in Richmond and maintains 24 local units throughout the Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, the Civil Air Patrol Virginia Wing carries out the organization’s three primary missions—offering aerospace education, inspiring youth to service through a cadet program, and assisting in the event of an emergency; and

WHEREAS, the Civil Air Patrol Virginia Wing offers an extensive educational program for both members and the public and distributes science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and aviation materials to public schools; the organization also conducts a variety of generous outreach projects; and

WHEREAS, with a thriving cadet program of more than 800 members aged 12 to 20, the Civil Air Patrol Virginia Wing teaches youth leadership skills, personal ethics, and the importance of physical fitness, as well as providing opportunities to learn about aviation and participate in state, national, and international aviation programs; and

WHEREAS, the members and cadets of the Civil Air Patrol Virginia Wing provide an invaluable service to the Commonwealth by assisting with emergency situations, including search and rescue missions and aerial damage assessments for natural disasters; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Civil Air Patrol Virginia Wing hereby be commended for its legacy of service to the Commonwealth on the occasion of its 75th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Civil Air Patrol Virginia Wing as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the skill and dedication of the organization’s volunteer pilots and cadets.