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#6 Commemorating 70th anniversary of Civil Air Patrol (File Res. #2011-852) CITY MANAGER’S OFFICE MEMORANDUM November 22, 2011 TO: City Council FROM:Tyler Burkart, City Manager Intern th SUBJECT: Action on a proposed resolution commemorating the 70 anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol (File Resolution No. 2011-852) Request th Former Council President George Brunner requested a resolution commemorating the 70 anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol. Recommendation Staff recommends the Council consider approval of File Resolution 2011-852 commemorating th the 70 anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol. Suggested Motion Text th I move to approve File Resolution 2011-852 commemorating the 70 anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol. Background The Civil Air Patrol began in 1941 when more than 150,000 aviation volunteers decided to assist with the war effort. The group of civilian pilots coordinated this effort one week prior to Pearl Harbor. During World War II, the Civil Air Patrol’s main task was to fly along the country’s coast, protecting U.S. cargo ships and oil tankers. Other important responsibilities included search and rescue, disaster relief, and emergency transportation for personnel and cargo. The Civil Air Patrol eventually logged over 500,000 hours flying during the war effort. It is also documented that the Patrol is responsible for sinking two enemy submarines and saving hundreds of crash victims’ lives. At the war’s end, 64 Civil Air Patrol volunteers lost their lives along with 150 aircraft. After the war, President Harry Truman acknowledged the Civil Air Patrol’s patriotism and service to this country. As a result, President Truman signed Public Law 476 on July 1, 1946, which incorporated the Civil Air Patrol as a benevolent, nonprofit organization. Congress then decided to pass Public Law 557 on May 26, 1948, which permanently made the Civil Air Patrol the auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force. The three primary mission areas established that reflects the organization’s focal points include aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency services. Today, the Civil Air Patrol demonstrates these mission areas by responding to several emergencies and natural disasters that leave numerous U.S. citizens needing assistance. Colonel Larry Ochowski (retired Janesville Police Officer) representing the Civil Air Patrol will be present to accept the resolution (and the copy for the State/Division Commander). Attachment: File Resolution 2011-852 CC: Eric Levitt, City Manager Jacob J. Winzenz, Assistant City Manager Resolution No. 2011-852 th A Resolution Commemorating the 70 Anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol WHEREAS , Civil Air Patrol was founded December 1, 1941 by a fledgling group of volunteers led by civilian pilots who flew their own planes at their own expense to support America’s efforts in World War II, primarily by flying reconnaissance missions near the country’s coasts to protect cargo ships, especially vital oil tankers, being sunk at an alarming rate that, according to U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Marshal, “now threaten our entire war effort;” and WHEREAS , the wartime effort, which included border patrol operations, search and rescue, disaster relief, forest fire patrol, emergency transportation of personnel and critical cargo and towing practice targets for the U.S. military, also resulted in the loss of 26 members and 90 aircraft in the war’s beginning stages and 64 deaths and 150 lost aircraft by war’s end; and WHEREAS , the Coastal Patrol was heralded as a great success, prompting President Harry Truman to sign Public Law 476 in 1946, which made CAP a benevolent, nonprofit organization and, nearly two years later, in 1948, the Congress of the United States passed Public Law 557, permanently establishing CAP as the auxiliary of the new U.S. Air Force with the three primary missions of Emergency Services, Cadet Programs and Aerospace Education; and WHEREAS , as a top resource for disaster relief, Civil Air Patrol is often first on the scene, providing aerial photography and damage assessment to help emergency officials pinpoint critical infrastructure needs in real time as well as ground team support, often provided door-to-door, which includes water, food and supply delivery and even laundry services for victims; and WHEREAS , recent high-visibility Civil Air Patrol missions have included responses to tornadoes that ravaged communities across America, forest fires in numerous states, Hawaiian Island and Pacific Coast tsunamis, Hurricanes Katrina and Ike, wildfires in the Southwest, Midwest flooding, 9/11 and counterdrug missions across the nation that have helped remove over $1 billion in illegal drugs from our communities; and WHEREAS , Civil Air Patrol is celebrating 70 years of performing these “Missions for America.” NOW, THEREFOREBE IT RESOLVED , that December 1, 2011 be recognized as Civil Air Patrol Day honoring the men and women who have served and those that continue to serve their fellow citizens through the Civil Air Patrol. ADOPTED: Motion by: Second by: APPROVED: Councilmember Aye Nay Pass Absent Brunner Eric J. Levitt, City Manager Dongarra-Adams Liebert ATTEST: McDonald Rashkin Steeber Jean Ann Wulf, City Clerk-Treasurer Voskuil APPROVED AS TO FORM: ______________________________ City Attorney Proposed by: Former Council President Brunner Prepared by: City Manager Intern