H.Res. 488 (112th): Honoring Americans who served as volunteers for the United States Office of Civilian Defense during World War ...

HRES 488 IH

Honoring Americans who served as volunteers for the United States Office of Civilian Defense during World War II.

December 7, 2011

Mr. BISHOP of New York (for himself and Mr. HANNA) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

Honoring Americans who served as volunteers for the United States Office of Civilian Defense during World War II.

Whereas the spread of warfare across Europe and Asia led to the establishment on May 20, 1941, of the United States Office of Civilian Defense by Executive Order 8757 of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to ‘assure effective coordination of Federal relations with State and local governments engaged in defense activities, to provide for necessary cooperation with States and local governments in respect to measures for adequate protection of the civilian population in emergency periods, to facilitate constructive civilian participation in the defense program, and to sustain national morale’;

Whereas the December 7, 1941, attack by the Empire of Japan on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, precipitated the entry of the United States into the worldwide conflict and signaled a new era of warfare that demanded new efforts to protect the people of the United States from airborne assault by an overseas enemy;

Whereas in response to this new threat, the United States Office of Civilian Defense mobilized millions of volunteers to participate in efforts to enhance the preparedness of the United States in case of attack, including fire protection, communication and logistics, construction of bomb shelters, and air raid blackout drills;

Whereas thousands of Americans unable to serve in the United States Armed Forces volunteered their service as Air Raid Wardens in communities across the United States during World War II, contributing to America’s defense against potential enemy assault and the ultimate victory of the Allied nations;

Whereas a training manual distributed to Air Raid Wardens during World War II noted that ‘In the system of civilian defense, the Air Raid Warden occupies the key position. He is the field officer under whose supervision the efforts of the civilian population are directed in the tremendous task of effective defense. Through the Air Raid Wardens, civilian activity is coordinated with that of the police and fire departments and other vital services.’;

Whereas training manuals distributed to Air Raid Wardens included ‘I am an Air Raid Warden’, by Frank W. Atherton, Chief Air Raid Warden, 1st District, United States Citizens’ Defense Corps of Michigan, which read, in part that ‘I am an Air Raid Warden. My country, my state and my community have given me many pleasant and fruitful years and now in time of trouble I feel that it is my duty to do my part in the work assigned to me in helping to reduce to a minimum any harm that may come from without or within.’; and

Whereas Tony Pastor and His Orchestra released a song in 1942, titled ‘Obey Your Air Raid Warden’, which was widely distributed as a public service announcement and contained the following lyrics: ‘One, be calm. Two, get under shelter. Three, don’t run. Obey your air-raid warden. Four, stay home. Five, keep off the highway. Six, don’t phone. Obey your air-raid warden. There are rules that you should know, What to do and where to go, When you hear the sirens blow, Stop, look, and listen. Seven, don’t smoke. Eight, help all the kiddies. Most of all, obey your air-raid warden. Stop, look, and listen. Dim the lights, Wait for information, Most of all, obey your air-raid warden. Stop the panic, Don’t get in a huff, Our aim today is to call their bluff. Follow these rules and that is enough. Obey your air-raid warden.’: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

(1) honors the service of Air Raid Wardens and all other Americans who volunteered for service for the United States Office of Civilian Defense during World War II;

(2) recognizes the important contributions of Air Raid Wardens and other volunteers of the United States Office of Civilian Defense to public safety, morale, and victory; and

(3) encourages surviving Air Raid Wardens and other volunteers of the United States Office of Civilian Defense during the World War II to record and permanently preserve stories of their service for future generations.

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