Group
1 - Pennsylvania Wing
Compliments of: CAP News:
House passes measure aimed at increasing CAP's role in homeland security
'Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security Support Act' now goes to Senate
June 19, 2008
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- House Resolution 1333, the Civil Air
Patrol Homeland Security Support Act, has been passed by the House by
voice vote and now goes to the Senate for consideration.
The bill directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study
to determine how CAP can help support homeland security missions, such
as border security and search-and-rescue.
In a news release, the proposal's sponsor, U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent
(R-Pa.), said: “As we saw after September 11th and Hurricanes Katrina
and Rita, in a catastrophic event, this country must be able to
dramatically increase the number of response assets while ensuring that
federal, state, and local resources are coordinated.
"By examining how various resources – like the Civil Air Patrol – may
contribute to a mission prior to an event, we will help strengthen our
nation’s security and resiliency.”
Dent introduced the proposal in early 2007 after learning that U.S.
Border Patrol agents lacked sufficient aerial assets to help identify
and stop breaches at the border.
This bill passed unanimously out of the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee on May 15 and the full House Homeland Security
Committee on May 20.