[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 26 (Wednesday, March 3, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E290-E291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE UNITED STATES 
                           GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 2004

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing a 
resolution to acknowledge 125 years of reliable, timely, and objective 
science that illustrates and enhances our understanding of the Earth, 
and serves the important needs of individuals and communities across 
this great land.
  The United States Geological Survey has an outstanding history of 
public service and scientific breakthroughs. It has been at the 
forefront of advances in our understanding of the Earth, its processes, 
and its resources. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey pioneered 
hydrologic techniques for gauging the impact of floods and modeling the 
flow of complex ground-water systems. The astronauts who landed on the 
Moon in 1969 were trained in geology by the USGS.
  Innovative ventures with the private sector have given the world 
access to digital images of neighborhoods and communities in one of the 
largest data sets ever made available online. Modern-day understanding 
of the formation and location of energy and mineral resource deposits 
is rooted in fundamental scientific breakthroughs by USGS scientists. 
Their biologists revolutionized thinking about managing wildlife 
resources, providing a sound scientific basis that lets waterfowl 
conservation and recreational hunting work in tandem as adaptive 
management, not as conflicting interests. Advances in seismology are 
making early warnings of earthquakes a reality that will give the 
needed alert time to save lives. The future of the global community 
presents infinite opportunities for the science of the USGS to continue 
to make substantive and life-enhancing contributions to the betterment 
of the nation and the world.
  I congratulate the United States Geological Survey on its 125th 
anniversary. By commemorating this date, I hope we will come to 
recognize the crucial services that this institution continues to 
provide this nation.

  The United States Geological Survey is a vital Federal science agency 
that is headquartered in my District in Northern Virginia; however, 
Members should know that this agency has an important presence in every 
state of the union.
  How has 125 years of independent science benefitted our nation? It 
has given us an extensive record of our land and resources, which 
allows us to realize and track the changes in our land, water, and 
wildlife. It has provided a wealth of long-term data and research, 
which continues to serve thousands of government agencies, companies, 
non-profit organizations, recreational groups, and individual 
Americans. And it has given us scientific expertise and understanding 
that we can count on to be accurate and up to date.
  Since its inception, the United States Geological Survey has become 
the premier science organization for the nation, covering all of the 
natural science disciplines (biology, geography, geology, and 
hydrology) in every state. This expansive coverage provides us with the 
comprehensive information we need to tackle many complicated issues in 
many geographical areas.
  As an unbiased science agency, the United States Geological Survey 
often serves the needs of the nation behind the scenes. Whether it's 
research on windborne dusts, mercury contamination, or West Nile Virus 
used to protect public health; or natural hazards assessments used to 
ensure public safety; or the energy and mineral resources, water and 
biological information, and geologic mapping and geospatial information 
used to serve our economy, for 125 years, the United States Geological 
Survey has provided the science that serves as the basis for our most 
important decisions.

[[Page E291]]

  It's time we congratulated those whose labor provides us with the 
information we need to manage our resources and safeguard society. I am 
delighted to have this opportunity to bring attention to the work of 
the United States Geological Survey and showcase its remarkable 
history. I urge you to support this resolution, thereby confirming our 
appreciation for their ongoing work that has served the health, safety, 
and prosperity of the United States for 125 years.

                               Resolution

       Whereas March 3, 2004 will mark the 125th Anniversary of 
     the establishment of the United States Geological Survey;
       Whereas the United States Geological Survey has become the 
     Nation's premiere earth and biological science agency;
       Whereas during its 125-year history, the United States 
     Geological Survey has been the birthplace of a number of 
     other Federal agencies, including the Reclamation Service 
     (later renamed the Bureau of Reclamation) in 1902, the Forest 
     Service in 1905, the United States Bureau of Mines in 1910, 
     the Grazing Service (later renamed the Bureau of Land 
     Management) in 1934, and the Minerals Management Service 
     in 1982;
       Whereas the United States Geological Survey has been a 
     widely respected source of relevant and objective science to 
     address the Nation's diverse natural resource issues;
       Whereas the United States Geological Survey continues to 
     serve the Nation as an independent fact-finding agency that 
     collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific 
     information and understanding about natural resource 
     conditions, issues, and problems;
       Whereas a hallmark value of the United States Geological 
     Survey to the Nation is its ability to carry out studies on a 
     national scale and to sustain long-term monitoring and 
     assessment of natural hazards and natural resource 
     conditions;
       Whereas the United States Geological Survey is an agency of 
     the Federal Government with no regulatory or land management 
     responsibilities and is thus a trusted entity to provide 
     impartial science that serves the needs of the Nation; and
       Whereas the United States Geological Survey has a 
     scientific presence in every State and Territory of the 
     United States and serves the Nation's extensive and diverse 
     needs for objective scientific knowledge and understanding: 
     Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) congratulates the United States Geological Survey on 
     its 125th anniversary; and
       (2) expresses strong support for the United States 
     Geological Survey as it serves the Nation by providing 
     timely, relevant, and objective scientific information which 
     helps to describe and understand the Earth, minimize the loss 
     of life and property from natural disasters, manage water, 
     biological, energy, and mineral resources, and enhance and 
     protect the quality of life of all Americans.

  In addition to Congressman James P. Moran, the following members are 
original sponsors of the House Resolution Congratulating the United 
States Geological Survey on its 125th Anniversary: Barbara Cubin, Tom 
Davis, Norm Dicks, Anna G. Eshoo, Ron Kind, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Zoe 
Lofgren, Ralph Regula, Nick Smith, Bill Young, and Sherwood Boehlert.

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