[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 280 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 280


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            November 5, 2003

        Received and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association for reaching 
  its 100th Anniversary, and for the many vital contributions of its 
 members to the Nation's economy and to improving the quality of life 
through the constantly expanding roles stone, sand, and gravel serve in 
                      the Nation's everyday life.

Whereas the National Quarry Owners Association, the precursor of the National 
        Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, was founded on May 19, 1903, and 
        represents approximately 800 members with more than 10,000 operations 
        across North America;
Whereas the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, an international trade 
        association with members throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico 
        and throughout the world, represents producers of construction 
        aggregates--sand, gravel, and crushed stone--and by product volume is 
        the largest mining trade association in the world;
Whereas the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association has advocated tirelessly 
        for a strong infrastructure and transportation system that serves the 
        Nation's needs and interests;
Whereas the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association is a key member of the 
        Transportation Construction Coalition and a founding member of Americans 
        for Transportation Mobility whose objective is to improve the Nation's 
        roads, bridges, mass transit systems, waterways, airports, and water and 
        wastewater system that are the backbone of the Nation's economy;
Whereas the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association invests valuable resources 
        into improving the professional development of industry employees by 
        sponsoring educational seminars, and advocates that members maintain a 
        strong and unwavering commitment to safety and health at workplaces;
Whereas the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association believes all legislation 
        and regulations should be based on sound science and encourages members 
        to meet all established environmental, safety, and health regulatory 
        requirements, and where possible to do better than the law or regulation 
        requires;
Whereas among the environmental benefits of the use of aggregates are erosion 
        and flood control, reclaimed land and water improvements, wildlife and 
        habitat creation and enhancement, water and sewage treatment plant 
        construction, flue gas desulfurization, acid neutralization, and storm 
        water runoff prevention;
Whereas the research and development supported by the National Stone, Sand & 
        Gravel Association is creating increasingly superior asphalt and 
        concrete products that are cost-effective, easier to maintain, and have 
        a longer life span, resulting in significant savings for taxpayers;
Whereas 400 tons of aggregate is used on average per home and aggregate composes 
        80 percent of concrete and 94 percent of asphalt, making stone, sand, 
        and gravel quarries essential members of communities as the product 
        contributes to both the development and continued growth of 
        neighborhoods;
Whereas the multi-modal transportation system, homes, skyscrapers, schools, 
        hospitals, and many other structures created through the use of stone, 
        sand, and gravel have made the economy of the United States the largest 
        and strongest in the world providing an un-matched quality of life;
Whereas pulverized aggregates are used in the manufacture of such varied 
        household items as paper, paint, plastics, roofing materials, cosmetics, 
        pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, and cleansers that are important to the 
        Nation's culture and quality of life; and
Whereas the leaders in the aggregates industry are continuously demonstrating 
        their willingness and desire to act and operate responsibly in serving 
        the construction needs of the country by respecting and observing the 
        well-being and the environmental sensibilities of the communities of 
        which they are an important part: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That Congress--
            (1) acknowledges the achievements of the National Stone, 
        Sand & Gravel Association and celebrates this 100th anniversary 
        milestone;
            (2) recognizes the grand impact the National Stone, Sand & 
        Gravel Association and its members have had on the business, 
        social, and cultural landscape by helping create an 
        unparalleled quality of life in the United States; and
            (3) congratulates the National Stone, Sand & Gravel 
        Association for this achievement and challenges the association 
        and its members to continue its tradition of excellence, 
        increase research and development for the benefit of consumers, 
        and to continue its vital advocacy in support of a strong 
        transportation system for the Nation.

            Passed the House of Representatives November 4, 2003.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.