TITLE: Commemorating April 2011 as Safe Digging Month.

SUMMARY: Commemorating April 2011 as Safe Digging Month.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Each year, the nation's underground utility infrastructure is jeopardized by unsafe digging practices, which may also cause service interruption, damage to the environment, and personal injury or death; and WHEREAS, Utility lines are compromised once every three minutes due to digging, and one-third of these incidents are caused by the failure of professional excavators or homeowners to call the national "Call Before You Dig" number, 8-1-1, before beginning their digging project; designated by the Federal Communications Commission in 2005, 8-1-1 connects to a local one-call center that can provide utility line locations at the intended dig site; and WHEREAS, In addition to calling 8-1-1, safe digging practices include waiting the required amount of time, respecting the marked lines by maintaining visual definition throughout the course of the excavation, and digging with care around the marks; and WHEREAS, The people of Texas depend on underground infrastructure for energy, clean water, and communication services, and educational outreach is the first step in the effort to prevent damage to this vital network; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the 82nd Legislature of the State of Texas hereby commemorate April 2011 as Safe Digging Month and encourage all Texans to "Know what's below and call before you dig." Keffer President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 136 was adopted by the House on April 14, 2011, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.C.R. No. 136 was adopted by the Senate on April 19, 2011, by a viva-voce vote. Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: Date Governor