[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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