[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 158 (Tuesday, November 4, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2219]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    100TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL SAND, STONE AND GRAVEL ASSOCIATION

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                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 4, 2003

  Mr. SHUSTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer congratulations to 
the National Sand, Stone and Gravel Association on the occasion of 
their 100th Anniversary. For the last 100 years this Association and 
its many members have contributed to our Nation's economy and have 
greatly improved the quality of life of all Americans.
  To put into perspective the vital role these elements play in each of 
our lives I would like to share some statistics with you. If we place 
usage on our population; incredibly each year, every man, woman and 
child would use about 10 tons of sand, stone and gravel. Many of us 
probably fail to realize that it takes 400 tons of crushed stone, sand 
and gravel to build the average home and 38,000 tons for each mile of 
interstate highway. Without these important elements our Nation would 
be without roads, streets, sidewalks and runways. Additionally, we 
often forget that pulverized minerals from rock touch our everyday 
lives in products such as plastics, paint, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, 
glass and chewing gum.
  The aggregate industry also has tremendous impact upon our Nation's 
economy. The industry directly employs more than 120,000 individuals. 
For every million dollars that this industry outputs 19.5 jobs are 
created. In 2001 the aggregate industry contributed just over 14.5 
billion in direct output to our economy. If we were to take into 
consideration the indirect benefits combined with direct output, this 
industry contributes $37.6 billion to the GDP and supports over 284,000 
jobs. That is an awfully impressive record.
  Mr. Speaker, as you can see, the aggregate industry's impact upon 
each of our daily lives and our economy is immense. I wholeheartedly 
congratulate the National Sand, Stone and Gravel association and its 
members on a most impressive 100 years.

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