[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 80 (Tuesday, May 15, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H5005-H5007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend
the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 352) supporting the
goals and ideals of National Public Works Week.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 352
Whereas public works infrastructure, facilities, and
services play a pivotal role in the health, safety, and well-
being of the people of the United States;
Whereas public works infrastructure, facilities, and
services could not be provided without the skill and
dedication of public works professionals, including engineers
and administrators, representing State and local governments
throughout the United States;
Whereas public works professionals design, build, operate,
maintain, and protect the transportation systems, water
supply infrastructure, sewage and refuse disposal systems,
public buildings, and other structures and facilities that
are vital to the citizens, communities, and commerce of the
United States;
Whereas the Department of Transportation estimates that
every $1,000,000,000 invested in the Nation's highway system
creates 47,000 jobs, and every $1 invested in the Nation's
highway system generates more than six times that amount in
economic activity;
Whereas every $1 invested in public transportation
generates as much as $6 in economic returns to the Nation's
economy;
Whereas the capital asset program of the General Services
Administration is authorized annually to provide Federal
employees with necessary office space, courts of law, and
other special purpose facilities;
[[Page H5006]]
Whereas since 1972 the Nation has invested more than
$250,000,000,000 in wastewater infrastructure facilities to
establish a system that includes 16,000 publicly owned
wastewater treatment plants, 100,000 major pumping stations,
600,000 miles of sanitary sewers, and 200,000 miles of storm
sewers;
Whereas the Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration is charged with the safe and secure movement
of almost 1,000,000 daily shipments of hazardous materials by
all modes of transportation and oversees the safety and
security of 2,200,000 miles of gas and hazardous liquid
pipelines, which account for 64 percent of the energy
commodities consumed in the United States;
Whereas the National Railroad Passenger Corporation
annually provides more than 25,000,000 people with intercity
rail service;
Whereas over the next 5 years, 8 airfield projects,
including 5 runways, 2 runway extensions, and 1 airfield
reconfiguration, will be commissioned providing some of the
busiest airports in the Nation with the potential to
accommodate more than 400,000 additional annual operations,
while decreasing the average delay per operation at these
airports by approximately 2 minutes;
Whereas in the report of the Department of Transportation
entitled ``2006 Status of the Nation's Highways, Bridges, and
Transit: Conditions & Performance'', the Department confirms
that investment in the Nation's highway, bridge, and transit
infrastructure has not kept up with growing demands on the
system;
Whereas in that report, the Department of Transportation
found that to maintain highway, bridge, and transit networks,
governments at all levels would need to invest
$94,600,000,000 per year for each of the next 20 years, and
to improve highway, bridge, and transit networks that level
of investment would need to increase to $153,700,000,000 per
year; and
Whereas public works professionals are observing National
Public Works Week from May 20 through 26, 2007: Now,
therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Public Works
Week;
(2) recognizes and celebrates the important contributions
that public works professionals make every day to improve the
public infrastructure of the United States and the
communities that those professionals serve; and
(3) urges citizens and communities throughout the United
States to join with representatives of the Federal Government
in activities and ceremonies that are designed to pay tribute
to the public works professionals of the Nation and to
recognize the substantial contributions that public works
professionals make to the Nation.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) and the gentlewoman from Virginia
(Mrs. Drake) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas.
General Leave
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous
consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and
extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such
time as I may consume.
National Public Works Week is celebrated yearly during the third week
of May. The week has been designated by a variety of organizations to
celebrate our public works professionals and the critical work that
they do to keep our infrastructure and transportation systems working
efficiently and economically. House Resolution 352 pays tribute to
these professionals, recognizing their work the week of May 20 through
26, 2007.
``Public works'' are loosely defined as projects that are carried out
for the public good, aptly named because they enable the public to
complete its work. Hazardous materials, pipelines, municipal
infrastructure such as water supply infrastructure and sewage and
refuge disposal systems, and transportation systems, such as rail,
highways, airports and public transit, all fall under the public works
umbrella.
Our public works are vital to our Nation. Our commerce depends on the
shipment of goods through rail, on our roads and through the air.
Public transportation provides many with a cost-effective way of
travel, while also reducing harmful effects on our environment.
Our public health depends on our water supply infrastructure as well
as our sewage and disposal systems. According to a U.S. Geological
survey, one person uses an average of 150 gallons of water per day.
Although running water is expected in most homes in our Nation, many
developing countries still consider this a luxury. Globally, 50 percent
of the world's hospital beds are filled with patients suffering from
water-borne illnesses, with one child killed every 8 seconds due to
water-related sickness.
People in more developed nations, such as the United States, use up
to 10 times more water than those in the underdeveloped poor countries.
And we do take it for granted. For the importance that they play in our
daily lives, our transportation and infrastructure systems and
facilities often get the bad end of the deal, that is, although public
works are depended on consistently, they receive no glory or praise
when accomplishing the job. Rather, many only pay tribute and attention
to these public works when they fail, such as sewage line breaks that
flood our basements, or levee failures that result in flooded
communities.
This legislative session the House has passed several key bills that
will improve our water and wastewater infrastructure to further reduce
facility and system failure. H.R. 569, the Water Quality Investment Act
of 2007, amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to authorize
appropriations for sewer overflow control grants. H.R. 700, the Healthy
Communities Water Supply Act of 2007, amends the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act to extend the pilot program for alternative water
source projects.
H.R. 720, the Water Quality Financing Act of 2007, amends the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act to authorize appropriations for State water
pollution control revolving funds.
And lastly, H.R. 1495, the Water Resources Development Act,
authorizes water projects and U.S. Corps of Engineers policy changes.
It has been more than 6 years since a water resources bill was signed
into law. And although water resource legislation is expected to be
signed into law every 2 years, President Clinton was the last White
House occupant to take an active role in our country's water and public
health needs.
I recognize the importance of public works for our communities and
our country, and I am grateful for the administrators, engineers and
servicemen who continue to utilize their skills and provide hours of
service and dedication to ensure these necessary facilities and systems
work for our Nation.
I support this resolution and urge my colleagues to support it as
well.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
House Resolution 352 is a bipartisan resolution which recognizes the
important contributions that public works professionals make every day
to improve the public infrastructure of the United States. I represent
a coastal district in which healthy water transportation and
infrastructure systems add to the economic and environmental prosperity
of southeast Virginia. Healthy water transportation and infrastructure
systems are not only important to coastal communities, but to every
district across the country. To meet these needs, as well as the need
for flood protection and environmental restoration, passing a Water
Resources Development Act for 2007 is a matter of high importance.
According to separate studies conducted by the Congressional Budget
Office, EPA and municipal groups, the current rate of capital
investment will not keep our wastewater treatment systems operational.
State and local governments are spending approximately $10 billion a
year in capital investments in wastewater infrastructure. Most of this
funding comes from local ratepayers. For rural towns like those located
on the eastern shore of Virginia, this often proves to be an
unattainable feat.
Because of the importance public infrastructure places in enhancing
our quality of life, improving our environment and contributing to our
economic prosperity, it is important for Congress to recognize the
contributions that professionals, engineers and administrators make to
ensuring America remains the world's premier economic power.
I urge all Members to support H. Res. 352.
[[Page H5007]]
Mr. OBERSTAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 352,
supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Works Week.
Our Nation's public works--which consist of transportation systems,
water supply infrastructure, sewage and refuse disposal systems, public
buildings, and other structures and facilities--help our country
function in an efficient and effective manner. As our public works
support our economy, our public health, and our communities'
livelihood, we must support the many public works professionals who
design, build, operate, maintain, and protect these systems and
structures. National Public Works Week is observed for a full week in
May each year.
House Resolution 352 pays tribute to public works professionals,
celebrating their work the week of May 20 through 26, 2007.
Without our vast network of rail, highways, airports, and public
transit, our industries would not have the global reach that they
currently utilize each working day. Without these transportation
systems, many tourists would not have the chance to experience the
vastly different climates and cultures our Nation has to offer.
Without our water supply systems, or our sewage and waste disposal
facilities. our communities would not be able to exist and thrive.
Simple conveniences that we may take for granted--running water in our
homes for cooking and cleaning, and water systems that feed our
backyard gardens, as well as our agriculture, factories, and industry--
would not be possible without the dedicated work of the public works
professionals who keep these facilities moving on a daily basis.
Indeed, it is often only when our systems and facilities fail to work
consistently that we appreciate their contribution to our daily
routines.
Infrastructure keeps our country working, but in previous legislative
sessions, we have not kept working on our infrastructure. In the ``2006
Status of the Nation's Highways, Bridges, and Transit: Conditions and
Performance'' report prepared by the Department of Transportation, the
Department confirms that investment in the Nation's highway, bridge,
and transit infrastructure has not kept pace with demands on the
system.
This Congress, we are working to reverse this unjustifiable trend.
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has taken our
public works needs seriously. Since the start of the 110th Congress,
the Committee has shepherded four critical water infrastructure bills
through the House:
H.R. 569, the Water Quality Investment Act of 2007; H.R. 700, the
Healthy Communities Water Supply Act of 2007; H.R. 720, the Water
Quality Financing Act of 2007; and H.R. 1495, the Water Resources
Development Act of 2007.
It is my hope that this Resolution will reinforce the necessity for
our colleagues in the other body to pass similar legislation. It is
critical for us to conference these bills without delay, and ask the
President to recognize both the needs and the accomplishments of public
works and its professionals.
I celebrate our country's transportation and infrastructure.
I urge my colleagues to join with me in supporting House Resolution
352, to honor the professionals who provide the backbone for our
transportation and infrastructure systems and facilities.
Mrs. DRAKE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would urge the
passage of this measure, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson) that the House
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 352.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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