[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E323-E324]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO THE ACTION OF NAVAL RESERVISTS IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN

                              of maryland-

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 9, 2004

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to the 
brave members of the U.S. Naval Reserve unit stationed at the Naval 
Reserve Center near Ft. McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland. The quick 
thinking of these Reservists saved the lives of 21 patrons of a 
Baltimore water taxi when a freak storm capsized their vessel on the 
afternoon of Saturday, March 6, 2004.
  This tragic accident could have been much worse. Approximately 20 
Naval Reservists were at the waterfront Reserve Center for weekend 
exercises when the storm struck. They saw the water taxi, Lady D, flip 
over and quickly rushed to their ACUV-27 vessel to help the victims of 
the overturned craft.
  Their quick action saved almost all the victims of this tragedy. 
Unfortunately, one person died and three others are still missing. The 
survivors of the accident and Coast Guard officials credit the rescue 
efforts of the Naval Reservists as critical to saving most of those who 
were on the overturned water taxi in 44 degree waters.
  I know, in some respects, it was pure luck that the water taxi 
capsized so near the Naval Reserve Center and that the Reservists were 
on site to carry out the rescue. But it also represents the quick 
action and outstanding bravery and courage of these Reservists.
  I hope my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives will join 
me in saluting the members of the Naval Reserve, who, through quick 
thinking and action, saved the lives of 21 patrons of the Baltimore 
water taxi accident. While we honor the courage of these Naval 
Reservists, our hearts and prayers are with the victims of this tragedy 
and their families.

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

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 9, 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 benefited 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 wildfire. 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.
  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.

       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.

                               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

[[Page E324]]

       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 in formation 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.

                          ____________________