SR 889: Civil Air Patrol; recognize

This resolution from the Georgia Senate honors the Civil Air Patrol, a volunteer organization that serves as the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force. It recounts the group's history since 1941, its role in national defense, and the work of its Georgia Wing, which has nearly 2,000 volunteer members across 37 squadrons and seven groups statewide. The resolution highlights the Georgia Wing's recent activities, including earning a national Crisis Service Award in 2021 for COVID-19 pandemic support and providing aerial imagery and distribution point support during hurricane relief efforts for Helene and Milton. It notes the estimated value of the Georgia Wing's 2024 volunteer hours exceeded $7.6 million. The Senate formally recognizes the group's contributions and directs the Secretary of the Senate to distribute a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.

• Formally recognizes the Civil Air Patrol's volunteers for their contributions to the State of Georgia.
• Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a ceremonial statement of appreciation.

The resolution directly names the Civil Air Patrol's Georgia Wing and its nearly 2,000 volunteer members. It also references the United States Air Force, FEMA, and GEMA (Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency) as organizations the Civil Air Patrol supports.

While the resolution carries no legal or funding changes, it publicly acknowledges the volunteer work of the Civil Air Patrol's Georgia Wing, including disaster relief and search and rescue efforts, and provides the organization with an official record of state recognition.

• The resolution recounts the Civil Air Patrol's founding in 1941 and its 1948 designation by Congress as the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force.
• It describes the Georgia Wing's size (nearly 2,000 volunteers, 37 squadrons, seven groups) and its 2021 Crisis Service Award.
• It cites the Georgia Wing's hurricane relief support for Helene and Milton, including aerial imagery for FEMA and GEMA and 'Sundown Patrols' in South Georgia.
• The resolving clause formally recognizes the volunteers' contributions to the State of Georgia.
• A further resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to provide a copy of the resolution to the Georgia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol.

1. 2026-03-04Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2. 2026-03-03Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Marty Harbin (R, SD-016)Primary sponsor
• Brian Strickland (R, SD-042)
• Timothy Bearden (R, SD-030)
• Steve Gooch (R, SD-051)
• Ben Watson (R, SD-001)

• Civil Air Patrol
• disaster relief
• emergency services
• volunteerism
• state recognition