Note: Bills that change current law do not show the amended text correctly below. Please view Original PDF to see amended sections:
SJR 154 - Introduced - PDF
SJR154
193998-1
By Senators Whatley and Dial
RFD:
First Read: 28-MAR-18
193998-1:n:03/27/2018:JEC/jec LSA2018-1545
COMMENDING COLONEL WILLIAM R. BASS FOR EXTRAORDINARY
SERVICE TO THE CIVIL AIR PATROL.
WHEREAS, we take great pride and pleasure in
commending Colonel William R. Bass for extraordinary service
to the Civil Air Patrol; and
WHEREAS, Colonel William R. Bass embarked on his
distinguished service with the Civil Air Patrol in July 1949
as a member of the Sarasota-Bradenton Cadet Squadron; upon
completing the cadet program, he earned the Certificate of
Proficiency with all options and served as cadet commander
until his transfer to Michigan Wing; he was instrumental in
organizing the Allegan Composite Squadron, was promoted to
C/Major, and served as cadet commander until his return to
Florida in 1953; he joined the Bradenton Cadet Squadron as a
senior member and assisted with the cadet program, before
returning to Michigan and resuming his assistance with the
Allegan Squadron in late 1955; and
WHEREAS, while maintaining membership with CAP, he
served as a naval reservist for eight years, volunteered for
active duty in 1956, and served for three years, two of those
years aboard a guided missile cruiser; after his release from
active duty, he returned to Florida and joined the Canaveral
Composite Squadron and assumed responsibility for the cadet
program; he was a member of the range operations group,
serving first as an Instrumentation Operations Coordinator and
later as a Test Operations Controller; he worked his way
through commercial and military operations to become a member
of the elite six-man launch command team for the Apollo
Program; he later managed 35-plus engineers at Kennedy Space
Center who devised the plans and schedules for the world-wide
conversion of the Saturn Program to the Shuttle Program; and
WHEREAS, the Canaveral Squadron was recognized as
one of the top performing units in Florida Wing, and William
R. Bass was asked to become the Group Six Director of Cadets,
a position he held until becoming Deputy for Cadets, Florida
Wing; he had the distinction of developing the wing's first
Cadet Command and Staff School and serving as its commander;
he mentored some of the nation's first Spaatz cadets while
simultaneously earning the Senior Certificate of Proficiency,
the highest senior training award at the time; and
WHEREAS, his extensive record of excellence includes
serving as a Senior Escort Officer for the Jet Orientation
Course at Perrin Air Force Base, the FAA Orientation Course in
Oklahoma City, and the Space Age Orientation Course at Chanute
Air Force Base, hosting three International Air Cadet
Exchanges, and several groups from other wings, including the
Middle East Region Girls Exchange, serving as Commander,
Sector B, Vice Commander, Commander, Florida Wing, becoming
active in counterdrug operations at Alabama Wing and directing
its program, being selected as Counterdrug Officer of the Year
for the Southeast Region in 2009 and being selected CDO of the
Year for Alabama Wing in 2010, assuming command of Alabama
Wing, and serving as Vice Commander and Wing Director of
Operations at Alabama Wing; and
WHEREAS, among his many awards and honors, he earned
ibbon awards with numerous bronze and silver clasps; among
them are the Distinguished Service Medal, Exceptional Service
(2), Meritorious Service (3), National Commander's Citation
(2), Unit Citation (16+), Commander's Commendation (3), and
many others; he was selected as Alabama Wing's Senior Member
of the Year for 2013 and as Southeast Region Senior Member of
the Year for 2013, was inducted into Alabama Wing's Hall of
Honor as a Legacy Member at the 2015 Alabama Wing Conference,
was dubbed a "green tab" officer and awarded the U.S. Army's
Volunteer Service Medal by Colonel Jason Altieri, Commander,
110th Aviation Brigade, Fort Rucker and Vice Chairman of Civil
Air Patrol's Board of Governors, and was awarded the Frank G,
Brewer Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2017 Alabama Wing
Conference; he is a 50-year member of CAP, Life Member of the
American Radio Relay League (W4LFC), and Benefactor Life
Member of NRA; and
WHEREAS, for nearly seven decades, he has earned
widespread respect for the commitment and capability he
brought to every challenge while compiling an outstanding
record of leadership; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH
HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING, That Colonel William R. Bass is
commended for extraordinary service to the Civil Air Patrol,
and this resolution is offered in highest tribute and deepest
appreciation on behalf of the citizens of the State of
Alabama.