[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 19]
[House]
[Pages 27002-27005]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE NATIONAL STONE, SAND & GRAVEL ASSOCIATION

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 280) recognizing the National 
Stone, Sand & Gravel Association for reaching its 100th Anniversary, 
and for the many vital contributions of its members to the Nation's 
economy and to improving the quality of life through the constantly 
expanding roles stone, sand, and gravel serve in the Nation's everyday 
life.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 280

       Whereas the National Quarry Owners Association, the 
     precursor of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, 
     was founded on May 19, 1903, and represents approximately 800 
     members with more than 10,000 operations across North 
     America;
       Whereas the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, an 
     international trade association with members throughout the 
     United States, Canada, Mexico and throughout the world, 
     represents producers of construction aggregates--sand, 
     gravel, and crushed stone--and by product volume is the 
     largest mining trade association in the world;
       Whereas the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association has 
     advocated tirelessly for a strong infrastructure and 
     transportation system that serves the Nation's needs and 
     interests;
       Whereas the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association is a 
     key member of the Transportation Construction Coalition and a 
     founding member of Americans for Transportation Mobility 
     whose objective is to improve the Nation's roads, bridges, 
     mass transit systems, waterways, airports, and water and 
     wastewater system that are the backbone of the Nation's 
     economy;
       Whereas the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association 
     invests valuable resources into improving the professional 
     development of industry employees by sponsoring educational 
     seminars, and advocates that members maintain a strong and 
     unwavering commitment to safety and health at workplaces;
       Whereas the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association 
     believes all legislation and

[[Page 27003]]

     regulations should be based on sound science and encourages 
     members to meet all established environmental, safety, and 
     health regulatory requirements, and where possible to do 
     better than the law or regulation requires;
       Whereas among the environmental benefits of the use of 
     aggregates are erosion and flood control, reclaimed land and 
     water improvements, wildlife and habitat creation and 
     enhancement, water and sewage treatment plant construction, 
     flue gas desulfurization, acid neutralization, and storm 
     water runoff prevention;
       Whereas the research and development supported by the 
     National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association is creating 
     increasingly superior asphalt and concrete products that are 
     cost-effective, easier to maintain, and have a longer life 
     span, resulting in significant savings for taxpayers;
       Whereas 400 tons of aggregate is used on average per home 
     and aggregate composes 80 percent of concrete and 94 percent 
     of asphalt, making stone, sand, and gravel quarries essential 
     members of communities as the product contributes to both the 
     development and continued growth of neighborhoods;
       Whereas the multi-modal transportation system, homes, 
     skyscrapers, schools, hospitals, and many other structures 
     created through the use of stone, sand, and gravel have made 
     the economy of the United States the largest and strongest in 
     the world providing an un-matched quality of life;
       Whereas pulverized aggregates are used in the manufacture 
     of such varied household items as paper, paint, plastics, 
     roofing materials, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, toothpaste, 
     and cleansers that are important to the Nation's culture and 
     quality of life; and
       Whereas the leaders in the aggregates industry are 
     continuously demonstrating their willingness and desire to 
     act and operate responsibly in serving the construction needs 
     of the country by respecting and observing the well-being and 
     the environmental sensibilities of the communities of which 
     they are an important part: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress--
       (1) acknowledges the achievements of the National Stone, 
     Sand & Gravel Association and celebrates this 100th 
     anniversary milestone;
       (2) recognizes the grand impact the National Stone, Sand & 
     Gravel Association and its members have had on the business, 
     social, and cultural landscape by helping create an 
     unparalleled quality of life in the United States; and
       (3) congratulates the National Stone, Sand & Gravel 
     Association for this achievement and challenges the 
     association and its members to continue its tradition of 
     excellence, increase research and development for the benefit 
     of consumers, and to continue its vital advocacy in support 
     of a strong transportation system for the Nation.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) and the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. 
Blumenauer) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. 
Capito).
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 280 recognizes the National 
Stone, Sand, & Gravel Association for reaching its 100th anniversary 
and for the many vital contributions that its members make to the 
Nation's economy.
  The National Stone, Sand, & Gravel Association is an international 
trade association representing approximately 800 members with more than 
10,000 operations across North America. Its members are producers of 
construction aggregates, sand, gravel, and crushed stone. And by 
product volume this association is the largest mining trade association 
in the world.
  The National Stone, Sand, & Gravel Association is a key member of the 
Transportation Construction Coalition and a founding member of 
Americans for Transportation Mobility, whose objective is to improve 
the Nation's roads, bridges, mass transit systems, waterways, airports, 
and water and waste water treatment that are the backbone of this 
Nation's economy.
  This association has advocated tirelessly for a strong infrastructure 
and a comprehensive transportation system that serves the Nation's 
needs and interests. I commend them for their achievements, and I look 
forward to working with them as we move forward with the 
reauthorization of the aviation, water, infrastructure, and surface 
transportation infrastructure programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I too rise in support of our resolution today 
recognizing the National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association. Again, 
Mr. Speaker, this is a part of the infrastructure that so many people 
take for granted, but they should not. This is an area that is 
absolutely vital to the way that we conduct our industry today. It 
employs well over 100,000 men and women, and the amounts of material 
that are moved are staggering: 2\3/4\ billion metric tons of crushed 
stone, sand, and gravel.
  And it is not just the dollar value that approaches $15 billion. It 
is the way that it fits throughout how we run our economy today. For a 
typical home, there are about 400 tons of crushed stone, sand, and 
gravel that are used in the overall construction process. For a mile of 
interstate highway, it is 78 million pounds of aggregate.
  Without aggregate we would not have the transportation infrastructure 
that we depend upon, whether for sidewalks, roads, airport runways, or 
railroad beds. They are so essential to human activity that virtually 
every county in the United States of any size has at least one of these 
facilities. I count in my State over two dozen active quarries, and 
eight companies just in my congressional district.
  At times this produces a little heartburn for neighbors and local 
officials. But having the materials from a local quarry or sand or 
gravel mine significantly reduces the cost to the community in terms of 
residential, commercial, and industrial construction. It also reduces 
the wear and tear on other infrastructure transporting it and it saves 
energy.
  We are learning today how many of these aggregate operation sites, 
can be reclaimed and converted to further beneficial use for the 
community. In some cases it is residential or commercial; in other 
cases office parks, golf courses, parks, storm water management 
facilities, or even farm land.
  In my community we are watching a major reclamation effort taking 
place with Ross Island Sand and Gravel that has had a facility for 
years adjacent to and, in fact, in the Willamette River. As a result of 
the work with our State and local authorities, the company, and its 
owner Dr. Robert Pamplin, Jr., we are accelerating the reclamation of 
118 acres of forest, 22 acres of wetlands, 14 additional acres of 
shallow water habitat. There is a commitment to make it a model in our 
community. It is going to be a jewel that for years has provided 
important materials but is going to be giving back to our community for 
generations to come.
  There are other environmental benefits from the aggregates in terms 
of natural filtration, aggregates used in sewage control, waste water 
control, the purification of drinking water, wildlife protection. In 
many areas there are buffers around aggregate operations that can be 
used for wildlife habitat.

                              {time}  1500

  In terms of flue gas desulfurization, aggregates like limestone are 
used in the reduction of sulphur dioxide from industrial smokestacks, 
the treatment of landfill leachate, and landfill construction to 
precipitate heavy metals from discharges and to line or cap landfills.
  It is not easy having these facilities in and around our communities, 
but they are absolutely essential and can work in harmony with the 
environment.
  There is also work that is being undertaken now how to recycle many 
of these materials. The benefit economically goes far beyond just the 
actual output, and the estimate is that it is a multiplier effect of 
more than 1\1/2\ times the output of the aggregate. For each million 
dollars expended on aggregate, we create almost 20 jobs.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased today that the House is taking a moment to 
reflect on this often invisible top. It was valuable to remind the 
members of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the 
critical role these basic materials play and the progress that has been 
made to continue this essential supply on into the future in

[[Page 27004]]

ways that not only advance the built environment, but protect the 
natural environment as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I yield back 
the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Hayes).
  Mr. HAYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. 
Res. 280, honoring 100 years of contributions by the National Stone, 
Sand, and Gravel Association to the growth, strength, and prosperity 
and jobs in the United States. As a cosponsor, I am proud to work with 
members of this distinguished association on infrastructure projects 
that are vital to local, State, and national interests.
  Members of this association play a crucial role in the economic 
development and job creation across the United States. A typical 
example can be found in my hometown of Concord, North Carolina, where 
Vulcan Materials Company is working cooperatively with Concord Regional 
Airport on expansion projects. Vulcan is supplying the airport with 
excess material that will be used to help extend the runway and provide 
areas for future hangar construction.
  The new, longer runway and additional hangar space are important 
components in recruiting new businesses and industry to relocate to the 
area. The increased business investment will improve the economic 
opportunities and outlook for the citizens of Cabarrus County.
  As we look to the future, members of this influential association 
will play a leading role in providing necessary infrastructure, 
upgrades, and improvements that will increase the productivity, 
efficiency, and safety, and also reliability of our transportation 
system for the 21st century.
  As the National Sand, Stone, and Gravel Association begins its second 
century of service, and as a former highway contractor, I urge my 
colleagues and thank my colleagues for supporting this bill.
  Mr. CARSON of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to acknowledge the 
achievements of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association. I 
commend the association for its work in creating an unparalleled 
quality of life in the United States, and I challenge its members to 
continue this standard of excellence.
  The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, previously the 
National Quarry Owners Association, was founded in 1903 and today we 
celebrate its 100th anniversary. In the course of these 100 years, the 
National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association has worked tirelessly to 
ensure a strong infrastructure and transportation system for this 
nation. An international trade association, the National Stone, Sand 
and Gravel Association represents producers of construction aggregates 
and, measured by product volume, is the largest mining trade 
association in the world.
  The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association has made a vital 
contribution to the nation's economy. The transportation system, as 
well as homes, office buildings, schools, and hospitals, all have been 
created and maintained through the use of aggregates. This 
extraordinary contribution to the nation's economy has created an 
unprecedented quality of life for our citizens, helping to make the 
United States economy the largest and strongest in the world.
  The use of sand, stone, and gravel aggregates provides many 
environmental benefits. Providing control of erosion and floods, 
improving reclaimed land and water, creating and enhancing wildlife 
habitats, and constructing water and sewage treatment plants are only a 
few benefits of aggregates. In addition, the association has sponsored 
numerous educational seminars and encouraged its members in an 
unwavering commitment to safety in the workplace.
  Therefore, I rise today to congratulate the National Stone, Sand and 
Gravel Association on the occasion of this 100th milestone. I challenge 
this organization to continue its commitment to the tradition of 
excellence born a century ago by increasing its research and 
development for the benefit of our citizens and by continuing to 
support a strong transportation infrastructure in this great nation.
  Mr. BISHOP of New York. I rise in strong support of two resolutions 
under consideration in the House today: H. Con. Res. 280, which honors 
the 100th Anniversary of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel 
Association, and H. Res. 394, which recognizes the 100th Anniversary of 
the American Concrete Institute.
  These resolutions come before us at a particularly appropriate time, 
as we continue working to reauthorize our nation's primary 
transportation law. We all know that transportation investment yields 
tremendous economic dividends. For each $1 billion invested in our 
infrastructure, we create 47,500 jobs and generate $6.2 billion in 
economic activity. Of course, we could not accomplish any of this 
growth without the materials needed to pave new roads, build new mass 
transit systems, repair sidewalks and rehabilitate aging bridges.
  Since coming to Congress and joining the House Transportation and 
Infrastructure Committee, I have had the privilege of learning more 
about the valuable contribution that these industries make in our 
communities and in the course of daily lives. If it weren't for the 
producers we are honoring today none of us could have flown to our 
nation's capital, driven to this building or walked in this great 
building.
  For 100 years, the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association has 
represented producers of construction aggregates in this country and 
around the world. Their products have been the crucial building blocks 
in countless projects, from constructing the interstate highway system 
to building local hospitals for veterans. As this resolution notes, the 
Association has worked tirelessly to improve its products to save 
taxpayers money, and to further the professional development of 
industry employees to improve employee safety and health at workplaces.
  The Concrete industry has also contributed immensely to the 
development of our nation. Production of concrete exceeded 
3,500,000,000 cubic yards worldwide in 2002, with 500,000,000 cubic 
yards produced in our nation alone. H. Res. 394 honors the American 
Concrete Industry's 100 years of service to the people of the United 
States as the technical society for the concrete industry and as an 
engine behind the extraordinary economic progress and prosperity that 
we have enjoyed as a nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support both of these resolutions, which 
honor great service to the American people and to the transportation 
community in particular. I urge my colleagues to do the same.
  Mr. HOLDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 280 and 
congratulate my friends at the National Stone, Sand and Gravel 
Association on the occasion of reaching their 100th anniversary.
  For 100 years, the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association and 
its 800 members have made vital contributions to the Nation's economy 
and to improving the quality of life through the constantly expanding 
roles stone, sand, and gravel serve in the Nation's everyday life.
  Mr. Speaker, each man, woman and child across the nation ``uses'' 
about 10 tons of aggregate (crushed stone, sand and gravel) each year. 
These aggregates are so essential to human activity that there is a 
quarry or sand and gravel pit in almost every county in the Nation.
  Four hundred tons of crushed stone, sand and gravel are used in the 
construction of the average home; 38,000 tons of aggregate go into each 
mile of interstate highway. Pulverized minerals from rock are used in 
the manufacture of paint, paper, plastics, vinyl, pharmaceuticals, 
toothpaste, chewing gum, glass, cleansers and dozens of other everyday 
household items.
  Without aggregates, there would be no paved streets, roads, 
sidewalks, airport runways or railroad beds. In fact, more than 94 
percent of asphalt pavement and more than 80 percent of a concrete 
sidewalk is aggregate.
  The National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association is a key member of 
the Transportation Construction Coalition and a founding member of 
Americans for Transportation Mobility, whose objective is to improve 
the Nation's roads, bridges, mass transit systems, waterways, airports, 
and water and wastewater system that are the backbone of the Nation's 
economy.
  The association invests valuable resources in improving the 
professional development of industry employees by sponsoring 
educational seminars, and advocates that members maintain a strong and 
unwavering commitment to safety and health at workplaces.
  Research and development supported by the National Stone, Sand and 
Gravel Association is creating increasingly superior asphalt and 
concrete products that are cost-effective, easier to maintain, and have 
a longer life span, resulting in significant savings for taxpayers.
  The leaders in the aggregates industry are continuously demonstrating 
their willingness and desire to act and operate responsibly in serving 
the construction needs of the country

[[Page 27005]]

by respecting and observing the well-being and the environmental 
sensibilities of the communities of which they are an important part.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand in support of this resolution and 
give recognition to the 100th anniversary of the National Stone, Sand 
and Gravel Association. I strongly urge you to vote aye on H. Con. Res. 
280.
  Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I want to express my support for this 
resolution which recognizes the 100th Anniversary of the National 
Stone, Sand and Gravel Association. As a member of the Transportation 
and Infrastructure Committee, I know first hand the valuable role that 
the Association and all its many member companies play in building 
infrastructure around the country. This has a very direct impact on our 
quality of life and helps to maintain our transportation network that 
is so vital to our economic prosperity.
  First founded as the National Quarry Owners Association one hundred 
years ago, the Association now represents about 800 members across 
North America. The Association devotes energy and resources to 
encouraging the professional development of its members, promoting safe 
workplaces, and conducting research to improve the quality and 
longevity of asphalt and concrete products.
  Aggregates are one of the building blocks of our nation's 
infrastructure, composing 80 percent of concrete and 90 percent of 
asphalt. And in terms of building structures, about 400 tons of 
aggregate is used on the average home. The work of this industry can be 
seen all around us. And yet, most of us probably take for granted the 
contributions of this industry as we drive on roads, learn in schools, 
and even brush our teeth at night with toothpaste--all of which are 
created by aggregates in one form or another.
  On the occasion of its 100th Anniversary, I want to recognize the 
efforts of the National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association and the many 
contributions its members make to our nation every day.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Hefley). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) that the 
House suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. 
Res. 280.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds having voted in favor 
thereof) the rules were suspended and the concurrent resolution was 
agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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