AL HR311

Commends Ryan Erskine for earning the General Carl A. Spaatz Award, the Civil Air Patrol's highest cadet honor.

Erskine is a Civil Air Patrol Cadet in the Gadsden Squadron from Boaz, Alabama, planning to attend Auburn University in fall 2012 with an Air Force ROTC Scholarship majoring in Aerospace Engineering.

The Spaatz Award requires cadets to progress through 16 achievements and pass a rigorous four-part exam including physical fitness, moral reasoning essay, and comprehensive exams on leadership and aerospace education; only two cadets in 1,000 achieve this distinction.

The award is named after General Carl "Tooey" Spaatz, the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and first chairman of the Civil Air Patrol National Board.

The House of Representatives extends highest commendations to Ryan Erskine and conveys the State of Alabama's congratulations and best wishes for his future endeavors.