A resolution in recognition and support of National Safe Digging Month.

        [Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 472 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

111th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. RES. 472

In recognition and support of National Safe Digging Month.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 26 (legislative day, March 25), 2010

Mr. Lautenberg (for himself, Mr. Thune, and Mr. Rockefeller) submitted
the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

RESOLUTION

In recognition and support of National Safe Digging Month.

Whereas each year the Nation's underground utility infrastructure--
including pipelines and electric, gas, telecommunications,
water, sewer, and cable television lines--is jeopardized by
unintentional damage due to those who fail to have
underground lines located prior to digging;
Whereas some lines are buried only a few inches underground, making
them easy to strike even during shallow digging projects;
Whereas such digging often has unintended consequences such as
service interruption, environmental damage, personal
injury, and even death;
Whereas April is the beginning of the peak of excavation projects
around the Nation;
Whereas in 2002 Congress required the Department of Transportation
and the Federal Communications Commission to establish a 3-
digit, nationwide toll-free number to be used by State
``One-Call'' systems;
Whereas in 2005 the Federal Communications Commission designated
``811'' as the nationwide ``One Call'' number for
homeowners and all excavators to call before conducting
excavation activities;
Whereas the ``One-Call'' system has helped reduce the number of
digging damages caused by failure to call before digging
from 57 percent in 2004 to 37.5 percent in 2009;
Whereas the 1,400 members of the Common Ground Alliance, who are
dedicated to ensuring public safety, environmental
protection, and the integrity of services, promote the
national ``Call Before You Dig'' campaign to increase
public awareness about the importance, for homeowners and
excavators, of calling 811 to find out the exact location
of underground lines;
Whereas the Common Ground Alliance has designated April as National
Safe Digging Month in order to increase awareness of safe
digging practices across the country and to celebrate the
anniversary of 811, the national ``Call Before You Dig''
number: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate supports the goals of National Safe
Digging Month and encourages homeowners and all excavators throughout
the country to call 811 before digging.
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