Honor Cadet Brian Williams

Senate Resolution No. 3422 BY: Senator DEFRANCISCO HONORING Cadet Colonel Brian M. Williams upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the General Carl A. Spaatz Award by the Mid-Eastern Group of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor those esteemed individuals within our midst whose work and civic endeavors have enhanced the quality of life in their communities and the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Cadet Colonel Brian M. Williams upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the General Carl A. Spaatz Award; and WHEREAS, The General Carl A. Spaatz Award, named in honor of Carl "Tooey" Spaatz, the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, is the Civil Air Patrol's highest cadet honor; it is presented to cadets who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, character, fitness, and aerospace education; and WHEREAS, Cadet Colonel Brian M. Williams, a 17-year-old from Jamesville, New York, has been active in the CAP Cadet Program since January of 2012; he qualified for this prestigious award by progressing through the 16 achievements in the CAP Cadet Program, and by completing a rigorous four-part exam consisting of a challenging fitness test, an essay exam testing his moral reasoning, and comprehensive written exams on both leadership and aerospace education; and WHEREAS, On average, only five in 1,000 cadets earn the General Carl A. Spaatz Award, and only one out of 1,000 cadets excel to the level of Cadet Colonel prior to their 21st birthday; Cadet Colonel Brian M. Williams is only the 2136th cadet to receive this national award since its inception in 1964; and WHEREAS, Cadet Colonel Brian M. Williams has received many other accolades for his excellence within the CAP, including the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW) Award, Commander's Commendations, Achievement Awards, and Challenge Coins for Outstanding Service above and beyond the call of duty; and WHEREAS, Throughout his military training, Cadet Colonel Brian M. Williams has demonstrated outstanding leadership by teaching multiple cadet classes and courses, and thereby serving as a strong mentor for junior and upcoming cadets; and WHEREAS, Cadet Colonel Brian M. Williams has held several leadership roles including Cadet Commander, Cadet Public Affairs Officer, Cadet Aerospace Education Officer, and Logistics Officer, as well as Safety Officer; and WHEREAS, Currently, Cadet Colonel Brian M. Williams holds the title of Cadet Safety Officer in the Mid-Eastern Group, and both Chairman and Primary Representative to the New York Wing for the Cadet Advisory Council (CAC); he is also an active member of the 5th Rangers Historical and Living History Group, and a strong supporter of Honor Flight Syracuse; and WHEREAS, Cadet Colonel Brian M. Williams attends Jamesville-DeWitt High School, where he is an active member of the National Honor Society and the arts and drama departments; and WHEREAS, In the future, Cadet Colonel Brian M. Williams hopes to travel abroad with CAP's International Air Cadet Exchange (IACE) Program and pursue a degree in Forensic Science, using his skills and interests in biology, chemistry and psychology; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit and having contributed to the growth and excellence of this great Empire State, Cadet Colonel Brian M. Williams is leaving a permanent mark on the Civil Air Patrol and his community at-large; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Cadet Colonel Brian M. Williams upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the General Carl A. Spaatz Award; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Cadet Colonel Brian M. Williams.