IV 

109TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 518 

Honoring professional surveyors and recognizing their contributions to society. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

OCTOBER 26, 2005 

Mr. PUTNAM (for himself and Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi) submitted the 

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government 

Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Honoring professional surveyors and recognizing their 

contributions to society. 

Whereas there are over 45,000 professional surveyors in the 

United States; 

Whereas 2006 marks the 200th anniversary of the end of the 

Lewis and Clark landmark expedition through the upper 

reaches of the Louisiana Territory and the American 

West; 

Whereas the journey is one of the most important surveying 

expeditions in the history of the United States because of 

the wealth of geographical and scientific information it 

provided about the new Nation; 
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•HRES 518 IH 

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; 
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•HRES 518 IH 

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 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) recommends the establishment of National 

3 Surveyors Week; 

4 (2) encourages the President to issue a procla5 mation calling on the people of the United States to 

6 observe National Surveyors Week each year with ap7 propriate ceremonies and activities paying tribute to 

8 professional surveyors and their contribution to soci9 ety; and 

10 (3) invites the people of the United States to 

11 look back at the historic contributions of surveying 

12 and look ahead to the new technologies which are 

13 constantly modernizing this honored and learned 

14 profession. 

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