#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
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SUBJECT: Action on a proposed resolution commemorating the 70 anniversary of the Civil
Air Patrol (File Resolution No. 2011-852)
Request
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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
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the 70 anniversary of the Civil Air Patrol.
Suggested Motion Text
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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
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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