Senate Resolution No. 16

BY: Senator LAVALLE

COMMENDING the Civil Air Patrol-New York Wing Col.
Francis S. Gabreski Squadron Color Guard upon the
occasion of presenting the colors at the start of
the session of the New York State Senate on January
9, 2017

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 9, 2017; 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 Civil Air Patrol-New York Wing Col.
Francis S. Gabreski Squadron Color Guard include: C/SrA Christopher
Riley, C/SSgt Kerri Campbell, C/A1C Joseph Cortes, C/SSgt Ailysch
Markowitz, C/SrA Adrian Morales, C/TSgt Mairead Riley, C/SSgt Eric
Vanek, C/TSgt Mary Vanek, Capt Edward Rymas, Capt Eric Vanek, 2nd Lt
Tina Vanek, 2nd Lt Craig Markowitz and Senior Member Amie Markowitz, and
New York Wing Staff - Lt Col Patrick Magee, Lt Col Gerald Marketos, 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
January 9, 2017; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Carello, New York Wing
Commander, Civil Air Patrol, and the aforementioned members of the Civil
Air Patrol-New York Wing Col. Francis S. Gabreski Squadron Color Guard.