39–006 

108TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 108–745 

CONGRATULATING THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL 

SURVEY ON ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY 

OCTOBER 6, 2004.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed 

Mr. POMBO, from the Committee on Resources, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H. Res. 556] 

The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the resolution (H. Res. 556) congratulating the United States Geological Survey on its 125th Anniversary, having considered the same, report 

favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the 

resolution be agreed to. 

PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The purpose of H. Res. 556 is to congratulate the United States 

Geological Survey on its 125th Anniversary. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

March 3, 2004, marked the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Nation’s 

premiere earth and biological science agency. During its 125-year 

history, the USGS has been the birthplace of a number of other 

federal agencies, including the Reclamation Service (later renamed 

the Bureau of Reclamation) in 1902, the Forest Service in 1905, the 

United States Bureau of Mines in 1910, the Grazing Service (later 

renamed the Bureau of Land Management) in 1934, and the Minerals Management Service in 1982. 

The USGS has a scientific presence in every State and Territory 

of the United States and serves the Nation’s extensive and diverse 

needs for objective scientific knowledge and understanding. The 

agency has no regulatory or land management responsibilities and 

is thus a trusted entity to provide impartial science that serves the 

needs of the Nation. The agency is widely respected as a source of 

relevant and objective science regarding the Nation’s natural resource issues and continues to serve the Nation as an independent 

fact-finding agency that collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides 

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scientific information and understanding about natural hazards, 

and natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. 

COMMITTEE ACTION

Congressman James Moran (D–VA) introduced H. Res. 556 on 

March 10, 2004. The bill was referred to the Committee on Resources and within the Committee to the Subcommittee on Energy 

and Mineral Resources. On September 15, 2004, the Full Resources 

Committee met to consider the resolution. The Subcommittee was 

discharged from further consideration of the bill by unanimous consent. No amendments were offered and the resolution was ordered 

favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous 

consent. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Resources’ oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in 

the body of this report. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States 

grants Congress the authority to enact this bill. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of 

the House of Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be incurred in carrying out this bill. H. Res. 556 is a resolution to congratulate the 

United States Geological Survey on its 125th Anniversary. No costs 

are involved. 

2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2) of rule 

XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 

308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this bill does not 

contain any new budget authority, spending authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures. 

3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. This bill does not 

authorize funding and therefore, clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the 

Rules of the House of Representatives does not apply. 

COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104–4

This bill contains no unfunded mandates. 

PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW

This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or tribal law. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing law. 

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