[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 158 (Tuesday, November 4, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H10249-H10250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 394) recognizing the American Concrete 
Institute's 100-year contribution as the standards development 
organization of the concrete industry and for the safe and 
technologically current construction activity it has enabled, which 
contributes to the economic stability, quality of life, durability of 
infrastructure, and international competitiveness of the United States.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 394

       Whereas concrete is the world's most consumed man-made 
     material and second only to water of all materials consumed;
       Whereas production of concrete exceeded 3,500,000,000 cubic 
     yards worldwide in 2002, more than a half cubic yard for 
     every person on the planet;
       Whereas production of concrete exceeded 500,000,000 cubic 
     yards domestically in 2002, approximately two cubic yards for 
     every person in the United States;
       Whereas the ready mixed component alone of total concrete 
     production in the United States in 2002 was enough to build a 
     continuous road ten feet wide and four inches thick 
     encircling the globe at the equator nearly 51 times;
       Whereas concrete construction provided 2,000,000 jobs in 
     the United States in 2002 during a time of economic 
     recession;
       Whereas the concrete industry provides employment to 
     numerous skilled employees, including batchers, truck 
     drivers, ironworkers, laborers, carpenters, finishers, 
     equipment operators, and testing technicians, as well as 
     professional engineers, architects, surveyors, and 
     inspectors;
       Whereas concrete was the predominant material of choice in 
     a construction industry that built $843,000,000,000 of 
     construction in 2001, being used in virtually every 
     construction project;
       Whereas concrete has an estimated $200,000,000 annual 
     impact on Gross Domestic Product;
       Whereas the concrete industry is a significant contributor 
     to the economy of every Congressional district in the United 
     States;
       Whereas the many agencies of the Federal Government rely 
     upon the American Concrete Institute, the technical society 
     for the concrete industry, as a major standards developing 
     organization for concrete design, construction, and repair;
       Whereas the American Concrete Institute has, through its 
     18,000-member network of private and public sector volunteer 
     citizens, developed and operated a review system that has 
     provided concrete standards and guides for durable, safe, and 
     uniform construction in the United States; and
       Whereas the American Concrete Institute celebrates its 
     100th anniversary of service in advancing the technology of 
     concrete for educational and scientific purposes in order to 
     increase the knowledge and understanding of concrete 
     materials and to support programs that improve concrete 
     design and construction for the common good: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the American Concrete Institute--
       (A) for 100 years of service to the people of the United 
     States as the technical society for the concrete industry; 
     and
       (B) for the economic stability, quality of life, durability 
     of infrastructure, and international competitiveness that the 
     Institute has made possible to the United States; and
       (2) encourages and supports the designation of an 
     appropriate day as ACI Centennial Day in recognition of 100 
     years of service by the American Concrete Institute to the 
     people of the United States.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. 
Blumenauer) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. 
Capito).
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

[[Page H10250]]

  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 394 recognizes the American Concrete 
Institute's 100-year contribution as the standards development 
organization of the concrete industry. ACI has made a valuable and 
lasting contribution to our Nation's infrastructure and economy and 
improved the quality of life for all our citizens.
  Concrete is the world's most consumed man-made material and is the 
predominant material of choice in a construction industry that built 
$843 billion of construction in the year 2001. Virtually every 
construction project uses concrete, from roads and bridges to homes and 
skyscrapers.
  Major concrete operations continually function in every congressional 
district, creating well-paying jobs and boosting local economies. In 
2002, concrete construction provided 2 million jobs in the United 
States. The concrete industry provides employment for numerous skilled 
employees, including batchers, truck drivers, iron workers, laborers, 
carpenters, finishers, equipment operators, and testing technicians, as 
well as professional engineers, architects, surveyors, and inspectors.
  The American Concrete Institute has, through its 18,000-member 
network of public and private sector volunteer citizens, developed and 
operated a review system that has provided concrete standards and 
guides for durable, safe, and uniform construction in the United 
States. ACI's achievements over the past 100 years have strengthened 
our Nation both structurally and economically.
  I commend the American Concrete Institute for 100 years of service to 
the people of the United States as the technical society for the 
concrete industry and look forward to working with them in the future 
to help improve our Nation's infrastructure.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I too rise in support of this resolution. As has been 
pointed out, concrete is ubiquitous in terms of our daily life. Life as 
we experience it in the United States, and, indeed, increasingly in any 
developed country would be impossible without the use of this product. 
It does, in fact, touch every community. It is a backbone in terms of 
economic development for organized labor, for skilled building trades. 
It touches a wide array of people who are actually making the built 
environment.
  The work that has been done by the Concrete Institute is critical. We 
have seen across the world examples of what happens when we rely on 
concrete that is not properly made, where the standards are not 
observed. It is a serious matter in terms of destruction where in the 
case of an earthquake or other natural disaster we have seen lives lost 
and commerce disrupted.
  Here in this country, as a result of the work of the institute and 
the thousands of companies and professionals who are associated with 
it, we have been able to extend the use of concrete in creative and 
innovative ways, protecting the environment, enhancing the built 
environment.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the American Concrete Institute as it 
celebrates its 100th anniversary, advancing the technology of concrete 
for educational and scientific purposes in order to increase the 
knowledge, understanding of the materials, and the safety of our 
communities.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of two 
resolutions under consideration in the House today: H. Con. Res. 280, 
which honors the 100th Anniversary of the National Stone, Sand and 
Gravel Association, and H. Res. 394, which recognizes the 100th 
Anniversary of the American Concrete Institute.
  These resolutions come before us at a particularly appropriate time, 
as we continue working to reauthorize our Nation's primary 
transportation law. We all know that transportation investment yields 
tremendous economic dividends. For each $1 billion invested in our 
infrastructure, we create 47,500 jobs and generate $6.2 billion in 
economic activity. Of course, we could not accomplish any of this 
growth without the materials needed to pave new roads, build news mass 
transit systems, repair sidewalks and rehabilitate aging bridges.
  Since coming to Congress and joining the House Transportation and 
Infrastructure Committee, I have had the privilege of learning more 
about the valuable contribution that these industries make in our 
communities and in the course of daily lives. If it weren't for the 
producers we are honoring today none of us could have flown to our 
Nation's capital, driven to this building or walked in this great 
building.
  For 100 years, the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association has 
represented producers of construction aggregates in this country and 
around the world. Their products have been the crucial building blocks 
in countless projects, from constructing the interstate highway system 
to building local hospitals for veterans. As this resolution notes, the 
Association has worked tirelessly to improve its products to save 
taxpayers money, and to further the professional development of 
industry employees to improve employee safety and health at workplaces.
  The concrete industry has also contributed immensely to the 
development of our Nation. Production of concrete exceeded 
3,500,000,000 cubic yards worldwide in 2002, with 500,000,000 cubic 
yards produced in our Nation alone. H. Res. 394 honors the American 
Concrete Industry's 100 years of service to the people of the United 
States as the technical society for the concrete industry and as an 
engine behind the extraordinary economic progress and prosperity that 
we have enjoyed as a Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support both of these resolutions, which 
honor great service to the American people and to the transportation 
community in particular. I urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 394.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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