Honoring professional surveyors and recognizing their contributions to society.

        [Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Printing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 223 Referred in Senate (RFS)]

2d Session
H. CON. RES. 223

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

September 25 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

Received

October 2 (legislative day, September 17), 2008

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Honoring professional surveyors and recognizing their contributions to
society.

Whereas there are over 45,000 professional surveyors in the United States;
Whereas the nature of surveying has changed dramatically since 1785, as it is no
longer limited to the description and location of land boundaries;
Whereas hydrographic surveys are important to the use of all bodies of water;

Whereas engineering surveys are utilized in the study and selection of
engineering construction;
Whereas geodetic surveys determine precise global positioning for such
activities as aircraft and missile navigation;
Whereas cartographic surveys are used for mapping and charting, as well as
photogrammetry, the science of using aerial photographs for measurement
and map production;
Whereas many services are provided through the use of sophisticated surveying
equipment and techniques, including satellite-borne remote sensing
devices and automated positioning, measuring, recording, and plotting
equipment;
Whereas the role of the surveyor has been, and remains, of vital importance in
the development of the United States;
Whereas since the colonial days of this Nation, surveyors have been leaders in
the community, Statesmen, influential citizens, and shapers of cultural
standards;
Whereas former surveyors include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and
Abraham Lincoln;
Whereas it was the work of the surveyor that determined the boundaries of land,
the greatest economic asset in the colonies that became the United
States;
Whereas Thomas Jefferson chaired a committee in 1784 to devise a plan for
disposing of lands west of the 13 original colonies;
Whereas Thomas Jefferson argued that surveying before sale was necessary to
prevent overlapping claim and to simplify deeds and registers;
Whereas Thomas Jefferson reportedly wrote a plan, which was debated in Congress
and in modified form was adopted as the Land Ordinance of May 20, 1785,
establishing the Public Land Survey System (``PLSS''), the rectangular
system that continues today in 30 midwestern and western States; and
Whereas the establishment of the third week of March as ``National Surveyors
Week'' would be a fitting tribute to all surveyors: Now, therefore, be
it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring),
That Congress--
(1) supports the establishment of National Surveyors Week;
(2) requests that the President issue a proclamation
calling on the people of the United States to observe National
Surveyors Week each year with appropriate ceremonies and
activities paying tribute to professional surveyors and their
contribution to society; and
(3) invites the people of the United States to look back at
the historic contributions of surveying and look ahead to the
new technologies which are

constantly modernizing this honored and learned profession.

Passed the House of Representatives September 24
(legislative day September 23), 2008.

Attest:

LORRAINE C. MILLER,

Clerk.