MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala., May 21, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A bill to honor Civil Air Patrol's (CAP) World War II veterans with a Congressional Gold Medal passed the Senate Monday night under unanimous consent after gaining the necessary co-sponsors needed for consideration. The bill, S. 309, recognizes the contributions of CAP's pilots and other aviators who served during the war. Predating the USAF, CAP's services included flying combat and humanitarian missions under hazardous conditions. Maj. Gen. Chuck Carr, CAP National Commander, credited members' and other supporters' hard work and expressed his thanks not only to leaders throughout the organization but also to the 82 Senators -- 15 more than the minimum needed -- who have signed on as co-sponsors for S. 309. Gen. Carr reports to the CAP Board of Governors, which consists of 11 members representing CAP, the Air Force and private industry.
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"As the long-standing commander of CAP's Congressional Squadron in Washington, D.C., I have long recognized the contributions of CAP to our nation, particularly in its time of greatest peril during World War II. That is why I sponsored the Congressional Gold Medal bill in the Senate," said U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, (D-Iowa). "I want to publically thank my colleagues in the Senate who joined me as supporters of this legislation as co-sponsors of S. 309."
An identical bill, H.R. 755, is under consideration in the House, where it now has 159 co-sponsors. The measure needs a total of 290 to be acted on in the House Financial Services Committee, where it has been assigned. CAP hopes to gain the additional co-sponsors over the next several months.
"I am pleased to see the progress in the Senate in support of the Congressional Gold Medal for CAP's World War II members, and I look forward to completion of the process in the House with unanimous approval of H.R. 755," said U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, (R-Texas), Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee. "With only a handful of those who served still alive, the time is now to honor these American war heroes, 64 of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice with their lives to help America prevail in the war effort."
"All of CAP's more than 61,000 members can take pride in the national spotlight that will shine on the organization when the Congressional Gold Medal is awarded. This prestigious honor not only recognizes patriotic civilians who risked their lives through heroic contributions to protecting the home front during World War II, but also CAP's unpaid professionals' exceptional selfless service to their communities that continues each and every day," said Carr.
"The House bill needs additional co-sponsors. Veterans and others with an interest in H.R. 755, are encouraged to contact their House representative to obtain support. You are encouraged to contact CAP to determine if your veteran family members qualify for this recognition."
Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization chartered by Congress in 1941 with a 501c3 designation and pre-dates the Air Force. CAP consists of more than 61,000 unpaid professional members nationwide, and operates a fleet of 550 aircraft. CAP, in its Air Force auxiliary role, performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) and is credited by the AFRCC with saving an average of 80 lives annually. Its unpaid professionals also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 26,000 young people currently participating in the CAP cadet programs. CAP is a force multiplier to the Air Force and to emergency service agencies. CAP received the World Peace Prize in 2011 and has been performing missions for America for 71 years. CAP also participates in Wreaths Across America, an initiative to remember, honor and teach about the sacrifices of U.S. military veterans.
Media relations and branding services are made possible by the Media Relations Group at the Century City Business Incubation Center through a generous grant from Global Private Funding, Inc., a proud corporate sponsor of the Civil Air Patrol. Contact CAP today to discuss how your corporation can support the Missions of America through a charitable donation to the Civil Air Patrol. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com or www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.
