Honor Civil Air Patrol Squad

Senate Resolution No. 3347 BY: Senator LAVALLE COMMENDING the Civil Air Patrol-New York Wing Col. Francis S. Gabreski Squadron upon the occasion of presenting the colors at the start of the session of the New York State Senate on January 8, 2018 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those organizations and individuals who are devoted to the welfare of the community and its citizenry; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Col. Francis S. Gabreski Squadron Color Guard from the Civil Air Patrol-New York Wing upon the occasion of presenting the colors at the start of the session of the New York State Senate, to be held at the New York State Capitol in Albany, New York, on January 8, 2018; and WHEREAS, The Civil Air Patrol enjoys a proud legacy of selfless sacrifice and service to country and community that spans decades; the organization was born one week prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor; and whose members serving in World War Two were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal and WHEREAS, Thousands of volunteer members of the Civil Air Patrol answered America's call to national service and sacrifice by accepting and performing critical wartime missions; and WHEREAS, On July 1, 1946, President Harry S. Truman signed Public Law 476 incorporating the Civil Air Patrol as a benevolent, nonprofit organization; on May 26, 1948, Congress passed Public Law 557 permanently establishing the Civil Air Patrol as the auxiliary of the new United States Air Force; and WHEREAS, Three primary mission areas were set forth at the inception of the Civil Air Patrol: aerospace education, cadet programs, and emergency services; and WHEREAS, Today, the Civil Air Patrol handles 90 percent of inland search and rescue missions, with approximately 75 lives saved each year; its' members are generally the first on the scene transmitting aerial digital images along with providing disaster relief and emergency services following natural and manmade disasters, including such events as 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee, Texas and Oklahoma wildfires, tornadoes in the south and central United States, North Dakota flash flooding and the October 2006 earthquake in Hawaii, as well as humanitarian and homeland security missions along the United States and Mexican border; and WHEREAS, In response to the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy, the Civil Air Patrol's New York Wing promptly reacted by: flying 373 damage assessment sorties, and providing 143,360 aerial photographs to New York disaster relief organizations, FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers; providing air transportation throughout the affected region for disaster response teams; deploying 30 volunteers to assist with shelter operations conducted by the New York City Office of Emergency Management; and installing 40 volunteers to assist the Red Cross with the logistics of relief supplies; and WHEREAS, In addition, Civil Air Patrol members are dedicated to counterdrug reconnaissance and to teaching a new generation about aerospace and its impact on our future; its cadet programs ensure our youth receive the finest leadership training the Nation has to offer; and WHEREAS, The members from the Col. Francis S. Gabreski Squadron Color Guard Civil Air Patrol-New York Wing include: 2nd Lt. Craig Markowitz, 1st Lt. Amie Shapiro-Markowitz, C/2nd Lt. Ailysch Markowitz, C/2nd Lt. Kerri Campbell, C/2nd Lt. Mairead Riley, C/CMSgt. Christopher Riley, C/MSgt. Adrian Morales, C/SSgt. Carlos Morales, Lt. Col. Patrick Magee, Lt. Col. Thomas Carello, Lt. Col. Benjamin Nodar, and Lt. Col. John Jones; and WHEREAS, The Civil Air Patrol makes a huge impact each and every day, going above and beyond to make a profound difference in America's communities; and WHEREAS, This occasion presents a unique opportunity for this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to the members of the Civil Air Patrol-New York Wing Col. Francis S. Gabreski Squadron Color Guard; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend the Civil Air Patrol-New York Wing Col. Francis S. Gabreski Squadron Color Guard and its members upon the occasion of presenting the colors at the start of the session of the New York State Senate on