HOUSE MEMORIAL 63

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2013

INTRODUCED BY

Don L. Tripp

A MEMORIAL

PROCLAIMING FEBRUARY 21, 2013 "CIVIL AIR PATROL DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

     WHEREAS, "subchasers" played an integral role in the defense of the United States, spotting one hundred forty-three German submarines, attacking fifty-seven submarines and being credited with sinking two submarines; and

     WHEREAS, the civil air patrol's nationwide wartime effort, including border patrol operations, search and rescue, disaster relief, forest fire patrol, emergency transportation of personnel and critical cargo and towing practice targets for the United States military, resulted in the death of sixty-four members and the loss of one hundred fifty aircraft by the end of World War II; and

     WHEREAS, since that auspicious beginning, a modern-day civil air patrol has emerged to become one of the nation's premier humanitarian service organizations, saving lives, finding those who are lost, helping fellow citizens in times of disaster, working to keep America safe, preparing future leaders, offering aerospace education to inspire the nation's youth and honoring the military; and

     WHEREAS, the civil air patrol now participates in up to ninety percent of the United States air force's inland search and rescue missions and often provides aerial photography and damage assessment to help local, state and national emergency officials pinpoint critical infrastructure needs in real time as well as ground team support for victims; and

     WHEREAS, the civil air patrol's cadet program currently includes more than twenty-six thousand four hundred young men and women who benefit from a curriculum that trains them to be leaders; offers them opportunities for flight, including pilot training; and teaches them emergency services techniques, including lifesaving; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico wing of the civil air patrol, with a history of proud service also dating back to 1941, now includes nearly one thousand members in units throughout New Mexico who serve the state and local communities with valuable volunteer services; and

     WHEREAS, the civil air patrol and its New Mexico wing are celebrating seventy years of performing these "missions for America";

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 21, 2013 be proclaimed "Civil Air Patrol Day" in the house of representatives; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the New Mexico wing of the civil air patrol.

- 3 -