[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 472 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 472

       In recognition and support of National Safe Digging Month.


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                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

               March 26 (legislative day, March 25), 2010

Mr. Lautenberg (for himself, Mr. Thune, and Mr. Rockefeller) submitted 
      the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
       In recognition and support of National Safe Digging Month.

    Whereas each year the Nation's underground utility infrastructure--
            including pipelines and electric, gas, telecommunications, 
            water, sewer, and cable television lines--is jeopardized by 
            unintentional damage due to those who fail to have 
            underground lines located prior to digging;
    Whereas some lines are buried only a few inches underground, making 
            them easy to strike even during shallow digging projects;
    Whereas such digging often has unintended consequences such as 
            service interruption, environmental damage, personal 
            injury, and even death;
    Whereas April is the beginning of the peak of excavation projects 
            around the Nation;
    Whereas in 2002 Congress required the Department of Transportation 
            and the Federal Communications Commission to establish a 3-
            digit, nationwide toll-free number to be used by State 
            ``One-Call'' systems;
    Whereas in 2005 the Federal Communications Commission designated 
            ``811'' as the nationwide ``One Call'' number for 
            homeowners and all excavators to call before conducting 
            excavation activities;
    Whereas the ``One-Call'' system has helped reduce the number of 
            digging damages caused by failure to call before digging 
            from 57 percent in 2004 to 37.5 percent in 2009;
    Whereas the 1,400 members of the Common Ground Alliance, who are 
            dedicated to ensuring public safety, environmental 
            protection, and the integrity of services, promote the 
            national ``Call Before You Dig'' campaign to increase 
            public awareness about the importance, for homeowners and 
            excavators, of calling 811 to find out the exact location 
            of underground lines;
    Whereas the Common Ground Alliance has designated April as National 
            Safe Digging Month in order to increase awareness of safe 
            digging practices across the country and to celebrate the 
            anniversary of 811, the national ``Call Before You Dig'' 
            number: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals of National Safe 
Digging Month and encourages homeowners and all excavators throughout 
the country to call 811 before digging.
                                 <all>