Civil Air Patrol Takes the Hill!

On February 28, 2019, Washington D.C. was invaded by Civil Air Patrol!  There were blues-clad CAP members everywhere – on the Metro, on the streets, and walking the halls of Congress.  The purpose of this annual mission – Legislative Day - is meetings between members and their Senators and Congresspersons to promote the missions of Civil Air Patrol.  Your Nevada Wing was represented in this endeavor by Wing Commander Col Deb Pierce and Wing Vice Commander Maj Rich Hazeltine.  Two cadets from Pennsylvania Wing, C/Capt Alex Pantaleo and C/CMSgt Caleb Bell, accompanied them for their meetings.  Col Pierce, with C/Capt Pantaleo, met with Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-02) as well as staff members from the offices of Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) and Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto.  Maj Hazeltine and C/CMSgt Bell met with Senator Jacky Rosen in addition to staff members from the offices of Congresswoman Dina Titus and Congresswoman Susie Lee.

Our congressional delegation and/or their representatives were gracious and willing to discuss our missions from an organizational standpoint and particularly as they apply to Nevada Wing. They were interested to hear about how we contribute to the well-being of our state.  Given Senator Rosen’s interest in STEM, Maj Hazeltine and C/CMSgt Bell provided her with information regarding our Cadet Programs and Aerospace Education missions, focusing on what is happening in Nevada Wing.  Senator Rosen is a member of Civil Air Patrol’s Legislative Squadron in Washington D.C. and as such, is always interested to know what’s happening with her fellow members in Nevada Wing.

Congressman Amodei is also a member of the Legislative Squadron.  He was supportive of the efforts of our Wing and wanted more information about its happenings.  The needs of the Wing and CAP in general were discussed; he expressed a desire to help find a new Wing Headquarters and asked for contact about any concerns.  The staff members for Reps. Titus, Lee, and Horsford also expressed these positions.  In fact, the staff member for Rep. Horsford, Mr. Kyle Sharp, joined CAP on the spot!  Generally, all members of the delegation contacted were very supportive.

As a bonus, Col Pierce was fortunate enough to meet Congressman John Lewis, the civil rights icon from Georgia.  Mr. Lewis spoke highly of Civil Air Patrol, mentioning that he supports CAP and what we do.  He was delighted to meet folks from all the way out in Nevada.

Legislative Day was a great success for CAP and for Nevada Wing.  Next year, it would be great to take two Nevada Wing cadets to Washington D.C. to meet with legislators.  It is one of the NCSAs – Cadet Leadership Academy – and would take some money, but there is time to work on that.  Nevada legislators like meeting with their constituents and Nevada Wing cadets would be great ambassadors for Nevada Wing and CAP.  Additionally, it’s a terrific opportunity for them to see what it’s like to be a legislator in Washington.  Maybe it could even plant some seeds for future Nevada representatives?  Hmmmmm….