[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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