Senators Hail Senate Passage of Bill to Award Congressional Gold Medal to Members of the Civil Air Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced that the U.S. Senate has unanimously approved bipartisan legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) .....
BigNews.Biz - May 14,2012 - Harkin, Senators Hail Senate Passage of Bill to Award Congressional Gold Medal to Members of the Civil Air Patrol
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced that the U.S. Senate has unanimously approved bipartisan legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) who provided, as civilian volunteers using their own aircraft, extraordinary public and combat emergency services during World War II. The legislation, which currently has 85 cosponsors, was introduced last year by Harkin and Senators Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Mark Begich (D-AK). It now goes on to the U.S. House for consideration.
“This legislation will offer long overdue recognition to a courageous group of people who answered the call to duty at our nation’s time of greatest danger,” said Senator Harkin, the Commander of the Congressional Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. “Seventy years ago, during the height of World War II, Civil Air Patrol members successfully located and deterred German U-boats off the Atlantic Coast. This was a time of great peril for the nation when over 400 ships were sunk in U.S. waters, many in view of Americans on shore. Because the military did not have enough aircraft and ships to stop the carnage, American civilians stepped into the breach. When the war ended, CAP members did not receive the recognition they deserved. Their story, over time, was lost to much of the nation. This Congressional Gold Medal will ensure that this story is told over and over again for future generations, and it recognizes CAP and its WWII members for their critically important service to our nation.”
“I am very pleased that these brave men and women will finally be recognized for their sacrifices and heroic efforts during World War II. The Civil Air Patrol was critical to our national defense during that great conflict and this award is long overdue. The members of the Civil Air Patrol shared the same motivation and love of country that my fellow soldiers and I felt during our battles in the European theater. Their efforts are to be commended,” said Senator Daniel K. Inouye, a World War II veteran and Medal of Honor recipient.
“I could not be more pleased to recognize the heroic World War II members of the Civil Air Patrol by joining this critical bill,” said Senator Snowe. “The volunteer civilian men and women of the Civil Air Patrol provided vital wartime service to the military, states, and communities nationwide. Their selfless missions, ranging from search and rescue operations to submarine patrols contributed immeasurably to the welfare and safety of our nation. We owe a debt of gratitude to those who have put their lives on the line for the security and protection of our nation, and I am pleased the Senate has recognized the many unsung heroes of World War II who served in the Civil Air Patrol.”
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