[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 96 (Thursday, June 30, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4304-S4305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONGRATULATING THE SOIL SCIENCE SOCIETY OF AMERICA

  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate now proceed to the 
immediate consideration of S. Res. 224.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The resolution (S. Res. 224) congratulating the Soil 
     Science Society of America on its 75th anniversary.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the resolution 
be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motions to reconsider 
be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 224) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 224

       Whereas the Soil Science Society of America was founded on 
     November 18, 1936;
       Whereas Richard Bradfield served as the first President of 
     the Soil Science Society of America;
       Whereas the Soil Science Society of America was established 
     during the dust bowl era, a time of extreme soil degradation;
       Whereas since the dust bowl era, the Soil Science Society 
     of America has continued to provide an understanding of the 
     sustainable use of soil and the role soil plays in society;
       Whereas soil is an essential natural resource, and soil 
     professionals serve a critical role in managing that 
     resource;
       Whereas the core purpose of the Soil Science Society of 
     America is to advance soils as fundamental to life;
       Whereas the Soil Science Society of America is 1 of the 
     premier scientific societies and is comprised of more than 
     6,000 members in the United States and internationally, 
     including scientists, practicing professionals, and students;
       Whereas soil is a dynamic system that performs many 
     functions and services vital to human activities and 
     ecosystems;
       Whereas soil, plant, animal, and human health are 
     intricately linked, and the sustainable use of soil affects 
     climate, water,

[[Page S4305]]

     and air quality, human health, biodiversity, food safety and 
     security, and bioenergy;
       Whereas soil faces increasing human-linked threats from 
     contamination, unplanned urban development, desertification, 
     salinization, mismanagement, and erosion;
       Whereas the Soil Science Society of America provides the 
     knowledge and tools to ensure sustainable use of soils in 
     support of societal needs, including food and energy security 
     and ecosystem services;
       Whereas the Soil Science Society of America promotes the 
     awareness and education of soils to elementary and secondary 
     students, undergraduate and graduate students, practicing 
     professionals, and the public; and
       Whereas the Soil Science Society of America promotes 
     effective research, disseminating scientific information, 
     facilitating technology transfer, fostering high standards of 
     education, maintaining high standards of ethics, promoting 
     advancements in the soils profession, and cooperating with 
     other organizations with similar objectives: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) congratulates the Soil Science Society of America on 
     its 75th anniversary;
       (2) commends the Soil Science Society of America for its 
     dedicated service to advance the science and management of 
     soil; and
       (3) supports the promise of the Soil Science Society of 
     America to continue to enrich the lives of all people of the 
     United States by improving stewardship of the environment, 
     combating world hunger, and enhancing the quality of life for 
     the future.

                          ____________________