strongRepresentatives Lois Frankel (FL-22) and Ted Deutch (FL-21) today congratulated WWII Veteran Col. Buddy Harris of Boca Raton on receiving the Congressional Gold Medal. Col. Harris was one of the founding members of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP), the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force.

“It is with pride that we honor Col. Harris for his outstanding service and dedication to our country,” said Congresswoman Frankel. “The Civil Air Patrol helped our country in a time of great need and they served with unwavering dedication.”

“It was a great honor to meet Col. Harris today and join all of my colleagues in Congress in recognizing the service and sacrifice of the men and women who volunteered as members of the Civil Air Patrol,” said Congressman Deutch. “Volunteering to serve at their own peril, the Civil Air Patrol saved countless American lives and bravely defended our nation.”

In 1942, at the age of 15, Col. Harris joined the volunteer service, along with over 120,000 others, in order to support the military effort and keep our nation secure. He and his fellow members of the Civil Air Patrol defended our coastlines, provided combat services, and flew dangerous humanitarian missions often in their own planes.

Col. Harris remains an active member of the Civil Air Patrol, on call for a search-and-rescue mission should the need arise. He also volunteers at Boca Helping Hands, where he leads computer training for the food pantry and soup kitchen’s job-training program.

In May, Congress passed legislation to award the founding members of the CAP a Congressional Gold Medal for their valiant service during WWII. Frankel and Deutch were cosponsors of this legislation.

The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor our nation can bestow.  It is awarded as a national expression of gratitude to men and women who perform outstanding acts of service that advance the security, prosperity, and national interest of the United States of America.

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