[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 484 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 484

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                          June 9, 2009.
Whereas there are more than 2,000,000 miles of gas and hazardous liquid 
        pipelines in this country operated by over 3,000 companies;
Whereas these pipelines play a vital role in the lives of people in the United 
        States by delivering the energy we need to heat our homes, drive our 
        cars, cook our food and operate our businesses;
Whereas in the past decade significant new pipelines have been built to help 
        move North American sources of oil and gas to refineries and markets;
Whereas, on June 10, 1999, a hazardous liquid pipeline ruptured and exploded in 
        a park in Bellingham, Washington, killing two 10-year-old boys and a 
        young man, destroying a salmon stream, and causing hundreds of millions 
        of dollars in damages and economic disruption;
Whereas in response to this June 10th pipeline tragedy Congress passed 
        significant new pipeline safety regulations in the form of the Pipeline 
        Safety Improvement Act of 2002 and the Pipeline Inspection, Protection, 
        Enforcement, and Safety Act of 2006;
Whereas in the past decade the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipelines and 
        Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, with support from a diverse 
        group of stakeholders, has instituted a variety of important new rules 
        and pipeline safety initiatives such as the Common Ground Alliance, 
        pipeline emergency training with the National Association of State Fire 
        Marshals, and the Pipelines and Informed Planning Alliance;
Whereas even with all these new pipeline safety improvements, in 2008 alone 
        there were still 274 significant pipeline incidents causing over 
        $395,000,000 in property damage and uncounted economic disruption;
Whereas even though pipelines are the safest method to transport huge quantities 
        of fuel, pipeline incidents such as the 1994 pipeline explosion in 
        Edison, New Jersey that left 100 people homeless, the 1996 butane 
        pipeline explosion in Texas that left 2 teenagers dead, the 2000 
        pipeline explosion near Carlsbad, New Mexico, that killed 12 people in 
        an extended family, the 2004 pipeline explosion in Walnut Creek, 
        California, that killed 5 workers, and the 2007 propane pipeline 
        explosion in Mississippi that killed a teenager and her grandmother are 
        still occurring;
Whereas these millions of miles of pipelines are still out of sight and 
        therefore out of mind for the majority of individuals, local 
        governments, and businesses, leading to pipeline damage and general lack 
        of oversight;
Whereas greater awareness of pipelines and pipeline safety can improve public 
        safety;
Whereas a ``National Pipeline Safety Day'' can provide a focal point for 
        creating greater pipeline safety awareness; and
Whereas June 10, 2009, is the 10th anniversary of the Bellingham, Washington, 
        pipeline tragedy that was the impetus for many of the above-mentioned 
        safety improvements and would be an appropriate day to designate as 
        ``National Pipeline Safety Day'': Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of National Pipeline Safety Day;
            (2) encourages State and local governments to observe the day with 
        appropriate activities that promote pipeline safety;
            (3) encourages all pipeline safety stakeholders to use this day to 
        create greater public awareness of all the advancements that can lead to 
        even greater pipeline safety; and
            (4) encourages individuals across the Nation to become more aware of 
        the pipelines that run through our communities and do what they can to 
        encourage safe practices and damage prevention.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.