[House Report 110-654]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



110th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session                                                     110-654

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SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK, AND FOR 
                             OTHER PURPOSES

                                _______
                                

May 19, 2008.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

Mr. Oberstar, from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                      [To accompany H. Res. 1137]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 
was referred the resolution (H. Res. 1137) supporting the goals 
and ideals of National Public Works Week, and for other 
purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon 
without amendment and recommend that the resolution be agreed 
to.

                       PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

    H. Res. 1137 recognizes the contribution of public works 
professionals to communities across the country by facilitating 
a resolution to recognize this year's National Public Work's 
Week: May 18 through 24, 2008.

                  BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    ``Public works'' is loosely defined as projects or programs 
carried out by the federal or state government for the benefit 
of the community. These projects and programs include: 
transportation systems, such as rail, highways, and public 
transit; water supply infrastructure; sewage and refuse 
disposal systems; public buildings; and other structures and 
facilities.
    Public works infrastructure, facilities, and services 
provide safety, health, and economic assurances for both large 
and small populations. These services could not be provided in 
the efficient and effective method in which they are without 
the skill of public works professionals, such as engineers, 
administrators, and servicemen.
    National Public Works Week is observed each year during the 
month of May, and is aimed at increasing awareness of the 
dedication of public works professionals.

                       SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

    H. Res. 1137 recognizes the significant diverse 
contributions that public works professionals make every day to 
improve the U.S. public infrastructure and the communities that 
they serve, and states that the House of Representatives--
          (1) supports the goals and ideas of National Public 
        Works Week;
          (2) recognizes and celebrates the important service 
        that public works professionals make to each citizen's 
        daily life; and
          (3) urges citizens and communities throughout the 
        United States to pay tribute to these efforts from May 
        18 through May 24, 2008, together with the Federal 
        government.

            LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

    On April 23, 2008, Chairman James L. Oberstar introduced H. 
Res. 1137, supporting the goals and ideals of National Public 
Works Week.
    On May 7, 2008, the Subcommittee on Water Resources and 
Environment met to consider H. Res. 1137. The Subcommittee 
agreed to H. Res. 1137 and favorably recommended it to the 
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure by voice vote.
    On May 15, 2008, the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Res. 1137. 
The Committee agreed to the resolution and ordered it reported 
favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum present.

                              RECORD VOTES

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives 
requires each committee report to include the total number of 
votes cast for and against on each record vote on a motion to 
report and on any amendment offered to the measure or matter, 
and the names of those members voting for and against. There 
were no recorded votes taken in connection with ordering H. 
Res. 1137 reported. A motion to order H. Res. 1137 reported 
favorably to the House was agreed to by voice vote with a 
quorum present.

                      COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

    With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(I) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are 
reflected in this report.

                          COST OF LEGISLATION

    With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule 
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 1137 
is a House resolution and therefore does not have the force of 
law. As such, there is no cost associated with this legislation 
for fiscal year 2008, or for any fiscal year thereafter.

                    COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

    1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and 
308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee 
advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes 
funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level 
for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under 
current law is required.
    2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that 
authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance and 
objectives for any measure that authorizes funding is required.
    3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the 
Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that 
authorizes funding, so no cost estimate nor comparison for any 
measure that authorizes funding is required.

                     COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI

    Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House 
of Representatives, H. Res. 1137 does not contain any 
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 
benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI 
of the Rules of the House of Representatives.

                   CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

    With respect to clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 1137 is a resolution 
of the House of Representatives and therefore does not have the 
force of law. As such, clause (3)(d)(1) of rule XIII does not 
apply.

                       FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

    H. Res. 1137 contains no federal mandates.

                        PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

    Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 
requires the report of any Committee on a bill or joint 
resolution to include a statement on the extent to which the 
bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, 
or tribal law. The Committee states that H. Res. 1137 does not 
preempt any state, local, or tribal law.

                      ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this 
legislation.

                APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 
104-1).

         CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

    H. Res. 1137 makes no changes in existing law.

                                  
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