[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 30 (Tuesday, March 11, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H833-H836]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAPPING REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1997

  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 709) to reauthorize and amend the National Geologic Mapping 
Act of 1992, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                                H.R. 709

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``National Geologic Mapping 
     Reauthorization Act of 1997''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress finds that--
       (1) in enacting the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 
     (43 U.S.C. 31a et seq.), Congress found, among other things, 
     that--
       (A) during the 2 decades preceding enactment of that Act, 
     the production of geologic maps had been drastically 
     curtailed;
       (B) geologic maps are the primary data base for virtually 
     all applied and basic earth-science investigations;
       (C) Federal agencies, State and local governments, private 
     industry, and the general public depend on the information 
     provided by geologic maps to determine the extent of 
     potential environmental damage before embarking on projects 
     that could lead to preventable, costly environmental problems 
     or litigation;
       (D) the lack of proper geologic maps has led to the poor 
     design of such structures as dams and waste-disposal 
     facilities;
       (E) geologic maps have proven indispensable in the search 
     for needed fossil fuel and mineral resources; and
       (F) a comprehensive nationwide program of geologic mapping 
     is required in order to systematically build the Nation's 
     geologic-map data base at a pace that responds to increasing 
     demand;
       (2) the geologic mapping program called for by that Act has 
     not been fully implemented; and
       (3) it is time for this important program to be fully 
     implemented.

     SEC. 3. REAUTHORIZATION AND AMENDMENT.

       (a) Definitions.--Section 3 of the National Geologic 
     Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31b) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``As used in this Act:'' and inserting ``In 
     this Act:'';
       (2) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), (4), and (5) as 
     paragraphs (3), (4), (5), and (7), respectively;
       (3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
       ``(2) Association.--The term `Association' means the 
     Association of American State Geologists.'';
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (5) (as redesignated by 
     paragraph (2) of this subsection) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(6) State.--The term `State' includes the District of 
     Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth 
     of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and 
     the Virgin Islands.''; and
       (5) in each paragraph that does not have a heading, by 
     inserting a heading, in the same style as the heading in 
     paragraph (2), as added by paragraph (3), the text of which 
     is comprised of the term defined in the paragraph.
       (b) Geologic Mapping Program.--Section 4 of the National 
     Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31c) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
       ``(a) Establishment.--
       ``(1) In general.--There is established a national 
     cooperative geologic mapping program between the United 
     States Geological Survey and the State geological surveys, 
     acting through the Association.
       ``(2) Design, development, and administration.--The 
     cooperative geologic mapping program shall be--
       ``(A) designed and administered to achieve the objectives 
     set forth in subsection (c);
       ``(B) developed in consultation with the advisory 
     committee; and
       ``(C) administered through the Survey.'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in the subsection heading by striking ``USGS'' and 
     inserting ``the Survey'';
       (B) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by single-indenting the paragraph, double-indenting the 
     subparagraphs, and triple indenting the clauses;
       (ii) by inserting ``Lead agency.--'' before ``The Survey'';

[[Page H834]]

       (iii) in subparagraph (A)--

       (I) by striking ``Committee on Natural Resources'' and 
     inserting ``Committee on Resources''; and
       (II) by striking ``date of enactment of this Act'' and 
     inserting ``date of enactment of the National Geologic 
     Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1997'';

       (iv) in subparagraph (B)--

       (I) by striking ``State geological surveys'' and inserting 
     ``Association''; and
       (II) by striking ``date of enactment of this Act'' and 
     inserting ``date of enactment of the National Geologic 
     Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1997''; and

       (v) in subparagraph (C)--

       (I) by striking ``date of enactment of this Act'' and 
     inserting ``date of enactment of the National Geologic 
     Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1997'';
       (II) by striking ``Committee on Natural Resources'' and 
     inserting ``Committee on Resources'';
       (III) in clauses (i) and (ii) by inserting ``and the 
     Association'' after ``the Survey'';
       (IV) by adding ``and'' at the end of clause (ii); and
       (V) by striking ``; and'' at the end of clause (iii) and 
     all that follows through the end of the subparagraph and 
     inserting a period;

       (C) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by inserting ``Responsibilities of the secretary.--'' 
     before ``In addition to''; and
       (ii) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``State geological 
     surveys'' and inserting ``Association''; and
       (D) by single-indenting the paragraph and double-indenting 
     the subparagraphs;
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (2) by striking ``interpretive'' and 
     inserting ``interpretative''; and
       (B) in paragraph (4) by striking ``awareness for'' and 
     inserting ``awareness of''; and
       (4) in subsection (d)--
       (A) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``Federal component.--'' 
     before ``A Federal'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) by inserting ``Support component.--'' before ``A 
     geologic''; and
       (ii) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(D) geochronologic and isotopic investigations that--
       ``(i) provide radiometric age dates for geologic-map units; 
     and
       ``(ii) fingerprint the geothermometry, geobarometry, and 
     alteration history of geologic-map units,
     which investigations shall be contributed to a national 
     geochronologic data base;'';
       (C) in paragraph (3) by inserting ``State component.--'' 
     before ``A State''; and
       (D) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
       ``(4) Education component.--A geologic mapping education 
     component--
       ``(A) the objectives of which shall be--
       ``(i) to develop the academic programs that teach earth-
     science students the fundamental principles of geologic 
     mapping and field analysis; and
       ``(ii) to provide for broad education in geologic mapping 
     and field analysis through support of field studies;
       ``(B) investigations under which shall be integrated with 
     the other mapping components of the geologic mapping program 
     and shall respond to priorities identified for those 
     components; and
       ``(C) Federal funding for which shall be matched by non-
     Federal sources on a 1-to-1 basis.''.
       (c) Advisory Committee.--Section 5 of the National Geologic 
     Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31d) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
       ``(a) Establishment.--
       ``(1) In general.--There shall be established a 10-member 
     geologic mapping advisory committee to advise the Director on 
     planning and implementation of the geologic mapping program.
       ``(2) Members ex officio.--Federal agency members shall 
     include the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
     Agency or a designee, the Secretary of Energy or a designee, 
     the Secretary of Agriculture or a designee, and the Assistant 
     to the President for Science and Technology or a designee.
       ``(3) Appointed members.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     date of enactment of the National Geologic Mapping 
     Reauthorization Act of 1997, in consultation with the 
     Association, the Secretary shall appoint to the advisory 
     committee 2 representatives from the Survey (including the 
     Chief Geologist, as Chairman), 2 representatives from the 
     State geological surveys, 1 representative from academia, and 
     1 representative from the private sector.''; and
       (2) in subsection (b)(3) by striking ``and State'' and 
     inserting ``, State, and university''.
       (d) Geologic Mapping Program Implementation Plan.--Section 
     6 of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 
     31e) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1) by inserting ``cooperative'' after 
     ``national'';
       (2) by striking paragraph (3)(C) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(C) for the State geologic mapping component, a priority-
     setting mechanism that responds to--
       ``(i) specific intrastate needs for geologic-map 
     information; and
       ``(ii) interstate needs shared by adjacent entities that 
     have common requirements; and'';
       (3) by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(4) a mechanism for adopting scientific and technical 
     mapping standards for preparing and publishing general-
     purpose and special-purpose geologic maps to--
       ``(A) ensure uniformity of cartographic and scientific 
     conventions; and
       ``(B) provide a basis for judgment as to the comparability 
     and quality of map products; and''; and
       (4) by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (5).
       (e) National Geologic-Map Data Base.--Section 7 of the 
     National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31f) is 
     amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(b) Standardization.--
       ``(1) In general.--Geologic maps contributed to the 
     national archives shall have format, symbols, and technical 
     attributes that adhere to standards so that archival 
     information can be accessed, exchanged, and compared 
     efficiently and accurately, as required by Executive Order 
     12906 (59 Fed. Reg. 17,671 (1994)), which established the 
     National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
       ``(2) Development of standards.--Entities that contribute 
     geologic maps to the national archives shall develop the 
     standards described in paragraph (1) in cooperation with the 
     Federal Geographic Data Committee, which is charged with 
     standards development and other data coordination activities 
     as described in Office of Management and Budget revised 
     Circular A-16.''.
       (f) Annual Report.--Section 8 of the National Geologic 
     Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31g) is amended in the first 
     sentence--
       (1) by striking ``Committee on Natural Resources'' and 
     inserting ``Committee on Resources''; and
       (2) by striking ``program, and describing and evaluating 
     progress'' and inserting ``program and describing and 
     evaluating the progress''.
       (g) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 9 of the 
     National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C. 31h) is 
     amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       ``(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
     to carry out the national cooperative geologic mapping 
     program under this Act--
       ``(1) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 1998;
       ``(2) $28,000,000 for fiscal year 1999; and
       ``(3) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.
       ``(b) Allocation of Appropriated Funds.--
       ``(1) In general.--Of the amount of funds that are 
     appropriated under subsection (a) for any fiscal year up to 
     the amount that is equal to the amount appropriated to carry 
     out the national cooperative geologic mapping program for 
     fiscal year 1996--
       ``(A) not less than 20 percent shall be allocated to State 
     mapping activities; and
       ``(B) not less than 2 percent shall be allocated to 
     educational mapping activities.
       ``(2) Increased appropriations.--Of the amount of funds 
     that are appropriated under subsection (a) for any fiscal 
     year up to the amount that exceeds the amount appropriated to 
     carry out the national cooperative geologic mapping program 
     for fiscal year 1996--
       ``(A) for fiscal year 1998--
       ``(i) 75 percent shall be allocated for Federal mapping and 
     support mapping activities;
       ``(ii) 23 percent shall be allocated for State mapping 
     activities; and
       ``(iii) 2 percent shall be allocated for educational 
     mapping activities;
       ``(B) for fiscal year 1999--
       ``(i) 74 percent shall be allocated for Federal mapping and 
     support mapping activities;
       ``(ii) 24 percent shall be allocated for State mapping 
     activities; and
       ``(iii) 2 percent shall be allocated for educational 
     mapping activities; and
       ``(C) for fiscal year 2000--
       ``(i) 73 percent shall be allocated for Federal mapping and 
     support mapping activities;
       ``(ii) 25 percent shall be allocated for State mapping 
     activities; and
       ``(iii) 2 percent shall be allocated for educational 
     mapping activities.''.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Wyoming [Mrs. Cubin] and the gentleman from Puerto Rico [Mr. Romero-
Barcelo], each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Wyoming [Mrs. Cubin].
  (Mrs. CUBIN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her 
remarks.)
  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of H.R. 709, a bill to amend the 
National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992. This law is a codification of 
cooperative federalism. It expressly authorizes the practice of the 
U.S. Geological Survey using a small but significant portion of its 
geologic mapping budget to find mapping projects of priority to the 
State geologic surveys on a 50-50 matching share basis. In this manner, 
the act promotes the basic scientific endeavor the mapping the bedrock 
geology and superficial deposits of this country. Most people do not 
realize the importance of geologic mapping. It meets society's needs 
for geologic hazards identification and abatement, for groundwater 
protection, land use planning and mineral resources identification.
  H.R. 709 reauthorizes this cooperative program for three years, 1998 
to the year 2000. It establishes thresholds for the sharing of funds 
between Federal, State and academic components. In general, the 
administration has agreed to dedicate not less than 20 percent of the 
budget line for geologic mapping to the cooperative State map component

[[Page H835]]

and not less than 2 percent to the education mapping or ed map 
component. The ed map function is to ensure small amounts of granted 
moneys will be available for student training in fields of mapping 
skills.
  This bill was amended in subcommittee by my friends, the ranking 
member, the gentleman from Puerto Rico [Mr. Romero-Barcelo] and the 
gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands [Ms. Christian-Green]. The sum of 
those amendments clarified the definition of State to include the 
District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the United 
States Virgin Islands.
  I do believe, Mr. Speaker, that the matching funds requirement is 
important because it assures greater scrutiny of budget requests than 
would otherwise be the case. The various State legislatures making 
funds available for their geological surveys, as well as the committee 
and the Congress overseeing Federal budgets, must be satisfied the 
mapping program brings useful results. I believe the program is indeed 
an important part of the U.S. Geological Survey's mission, and I urge 
my colleagues to support H.R. 709.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1515

  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  (Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO asked and was given permission to revise and 
extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. First of all, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the 
gentlewoman from Wyoming [Mrs. Cubin], our chair of the subcommittee, 
for her attitude and openness and her cooperation in the process of 
this bill. It has been a real pleasure working with her as the ranking 
member, and I look forward to a lot more of this bipartisan cooperation 
that we have had in this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, we bring this bill, reauthorizing the National Geologic 
Mapping Act of 1992, to the floor today with the full support of the 
Committee on Resources. Democrats and Republicans alike voted to 
favorably report this bill to the House, and the Clinton administration 
has endorsed the bill.
  We need geologic mapping in our society for many worthwhile purposes, 
including emergency preparedness, environmental protection, land use 
planning and resource extraction.
  The Earth provides the physical foundation for our society. We live 
upon it and we use its resources. Therefore, we need to work toward a 
better understanding of the Earth's resources and its inherent dangers.
  Geologic maps are one effective way to convey the Earth science 
information needed for better understanding and decision-making by all 
of us: people in Federal agencies, State and local government, private 
industry and citizens alike.
  The National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 authorized the USGS to 
organize a national program of geologic mapping through a partnership 
with State geologic surveys, academia and the private sector. This 
cooperative relationship is essential to develop the extensive amount 
of material for informed decision-making.
  I understand that nothing in current law or the reauthorization bill 
prevents Puerto Rico or other territories from participating in this 
valuable program. However, we wanted to be absolutely clear on this 
issue. Therefore, the gentlewoman from the Virgin Islands, Delegate 
Christian-Green, and I offered amendments in the Committee on Resources 
that designate the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the other 
territories and the District of Columbia as eligible to participate in 
the geologic mapping program. The bill before us today contains these 
amendments.
  Accordingly, it is my pleasure to support the adoption of the bill, 
and I urge all my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote yes on 
H.R. 709, as amended.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from 
Nevada [Mr. Gibbons].
  Mr. GIBBONS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to begin by thanking the 
gentlewoman from Wyoming for her diligent work on H.R. 709, the 
National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1997. This legislation 
becomes very important when we address the issues of safety in the 
environment. H.R. 709 reauthorizes the Geologic Mapping Act of 1992, 
which was a legislative response to troubles in the National Academy of 
Sciences with their lack of basic geologic mapping efforts in this 
country.
  Being a geologist myself, I can personally attest to the importance 
that mapping has on many aspects of our society. Geologic maps benefit 
safety regulations, telling us where natural disasters may occur. They 
also map fault lines and water flow patterns, which are important to 
identify when building infrastructure for transportation. Without a 
detailed geologic map of the United States, we will continue to address 
issues such as safe drinking water and environmental systems 
understanding, in the same way someone drives a car at night without 
headlights.
  It is important for us to explore and understand what resources we 
have and how best to use them before we fool-hardily make unscientific 
decisions without the full knowledge of our underlying environment.
  I also believe detailed geologic mapping provides the basic 
information for solving a broad range of societal problems. These 
include delineation and protection of our sources of safe drinking 
water, environmental systems understanding and foundations of ecosystem 
management, the identification and mitigation of natural hazards, such 
as earthquake-prone areas, volcanic eruptions, landslides and other 
ground failures, as well as many other land use planning requirements.
  This legislation would provide an array of benefits for States. It 
would assist State and local communities with land and water decisions, 
aid farmers and ranchers with crop decisions, encourage habitat 
protection for endangered species, and aid the mining industry with 
site determination for mineral resources.
  Another benefit of this legislation is its funding formula. The 
appropriation from the National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 
1997, which requires a 50-50 matching of Federal funds from non-Federal 
sources, will involve State colleges and universities. This, I believe, 
sets an excellent precedent, allowing the Federal Government, States 
and colleges to cooperate in a unified, intelligent manner.
  H.R. 709 authorizes in the fiscal year 1998 $26 million to be 
appropriated, 75 percent for Federal mapping and supporting mapping 
activities, 23 percent for State mapping activities, and 2 percent for 
educational mapping activities. Funds for fiscal year 1999 are $28 
million and for fiscal year 2000 are $30 million. Each year the funding 
formula decreases the Federal mapping activities by 1 percent and 
increases State mapping activities accordingly. Since fiscal year 1993, 
approximately $7.5 million in Federal appropriated funds have been 
matched by State moneys in this cooperative peer review process of 
producing geologic maps.
  It appears that only about one-fifth of this Nation is mapped to 
adequately address the issues described in section 2 of this bill. 
Congress has finally begun to understand the importance of geologic 
mapping, and it is time that we use our dollars wisely to bring about 
the best science to this country. H.R. 709 will achieve this goal in a 
cooperative partnership with little money and a big return on science 
that benefits our constituents.
  To close, Mr. Speaker, the reauthorization of the National Geologic 
Mapping Act of 1992 will allow a joint venture of Federal, State and 
academic institutions to continue on the appropriate path of mapping 
the geology of this Nation. As section 2, paragraph (B) states, 
``Geologic maps are the primary database for virtually all applied and 
basic Earth science investigation.'' It is because of this continued 
need for core science that I urge all Members to support H.R. 709, and 
I believe this bill is in the best interest of science and this Nation 
as well.
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from American Samoa [Mr. Faleomavaega].
  (Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA asked and was given permission to revise and extend 
his remarks.)
  Mr. FALEOMAVAEGA. Mr. Speaker, I want to commend the gentlewoman

[[Page H836]]

from Wyoming, the chairlady of our subcommittee, that has taken the 
initiative and leadership in passing unanimously by our Committee on 
Resources this very important piece of legislation. I thank my good 
friends from Puerto Rico and our Democrat ranking member of the 
subcommittee for bringing to the attention of the Members what I 
consider to be a little oversight in the fact that the National 
Geological Mapping Reauthorization Act did not include the insular 
areas.
  I am very happy that the gentlewoman from Wyoming has taken the 
initiative, with my good friend from Puerto Rico, to see that the 
proper amendments are made to change this reauthorization act.
  Mr. Speaker, I am also happy to see my good friend from Nevada. Who 
could be a better expert than a person who is knowledgeable about 
geological issues, a geologist himself, my good friend,the gentlewoman 
from Nevada [Mr. Gibbons]. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to 
consider his expertise and the importance of this piece of legislation, 
and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 709.
  Ms. CHRISTIAN-GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 
709, the National Geological Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1997 and 
urge my colleagues to support its passage.
  I want to begin by commending my colleague, the Gentlewoman from 
Wyoming, chair of the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, the 
Honorable Barbara Cubin for her leadership in guiding H.R. 709 through 
the subcommittee, as well as, the full Resources Committee and on to 
the floor of the House today.
  I also want to commend the gentleman from Puerto Rico, the ranking 
member of the Energy and Mineral Resources Subcommittee, the Honorable 
Carlos Romero-Barcelo for his leadership on this bill as well.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 709 would reauthorize the National Geological 
Mapping Act of 1992 through the year 2000. It would also amend the act 
to designate that 20 percent of the total amount appropriated be 
allocated to the State component of the program. During the markup of 
H.R. 709 in the subcommittee, my colleague, Mr. Romero offered an 
amendment to correct an apparent oversight and make the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico, Guam, and my district of the Virgin Islands eligible to 
participate in the State mapping component of the bill. I then offered 
an amendment to my colleague's amendment to make the District of 
Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands also 
eligible for participation in H.R. 709's program components.
  I want to thank my friend, Mr. Romero for offering his amendment on 
the behalf of those of us from the U.S. non-State areas. To often we 
are overlooked or ignored making actions such as his amendment 
necessary. I also want to thank Mr. Romero and Chairman Cubin for 
accepting my amendment to H.R. 709 as well.
  H.R. 709 is a worthwhile piece of legislation, Mr. Speaker and I urge 
my colleagues to support its enactment.
  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume to 
state that I certainly appreciate the help of the ranking minority 
member in adding the other additions to the bill that were originally 
left out. I, too, feel it was more of an oversight, that it is very 
important and certainly does improve the quality of the bill.


                             General Leave

  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on H.R. 709, as amended.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Goodlatte). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentlewoman from Wyoming?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. CUBIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Wyoming [Mrs. Cubin] that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 709, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________