Civil Air Patrol Homeland Security Support Act of 2007

CIVIL AIR PATROL HOMELAND SECURITY SUPPORT ACT OF 2007 -- (House of Representatives - June 18, 2008)

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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this measure, and I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, the Civil Air Patrol has been in existence for decades, providing assistance to governments at the Federal, State and local levels in times of need.

Civil Air Patrol was established in 1941, just days before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. From that moment on, Civil Air Patrol has stood ready to supplement America's military operations. And over the years, it has shown itself to be a faithful partner to the Department of Defense. Therefore, it stands to reason that Civil Air Patrol could also partner with the Department of Homeland Security.

That is the thinking behind H.R. 1333 introduced by Representative CHARLIE DENT, a member of the Committee on Homeland Security. H.R. 1333 directs the Government Accountability Office to examine the capabilities of the Civil Air Patrol to support DHS's activities across the country.

The bill was unanimously adopted by the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response on April 30. Then on May 20, the full committee approved H.R. 1333 unanimously.

Civil Air Patrol is a great example of how patriotic Americans can contribute to the security of this Nation and their communities. As someone who served as a volunteer firefighter, I appreciate that kind of dedication. There is no doubt in my mind that the Civil Air Patrol is a United States treasure. In fact, during any given year, the Civil Air Patrol is responsible for nearly 95 percent of Air Force-directed search and rescue missions.

This Government Accountability Office study, called for in this bill, will improve Congress' and the administration's understanding of how Civil Air Patrol can provide homeland security assistance. The GAO study will also help Congress assess whether the operational structure in place for coordination between the Civil Air Patrol and its government and non-profit partners is sufficient and optimal for the security of our Nation.

Additionally, the bill calls for GAO to report on the cost-effectiveness of using Civil Air Patrol assets for homeland security missions and help Congress understand whether the current mechanism for Federal agencies and States to request Civil Air Patrol support are adequate.

Finally, the bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to review and analyze GAO's study and report to Congress as to which GAO recommendations warrant further action.

I commend my colleague, Mr. Dent, and his partner in this endeavor, the chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, Mr. Cuellar, for developing this thoughtful bill. I support H.R. 1333 and its underlying goals and urge passage.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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