79–008 

111TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 111–80 

SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL 

PUBLIC WORKS WEEK, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 

APRIL 21, 2009.—Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed 

Mr. OBERSTAR, from the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany H. Res. 313] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 

was referred the resolution (H. Res. 313) supporting the goals and 

ideals of National Public Works Week, and for other purposes, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the resolution be agreed to. 

PURPOSE OF THE LEGISLATION

House Resolution 313 recognizes the contribution of public works 

professionals to communities across the country by facilitating a 

resolution to recognize this year’s National Public Work’s Week: 

May 17 through May 23, 2009. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

‘‘Public works’’ is loosely defined as projects or programs carried 

out by the Federal Government or a state government for the benefit of the community. These projects and programs include: transportation systems, such as aviation, rail, highways, and public 

transit; levees; water supply infrastructure; sewage and refuse disposal systems; public buildings; and other structures and facilities. 

Public works infrastructure, facilities, and services provide safety, health, and economic assurances for both large and small populations. These services could not be provided in the efficient and effective method in which they are without the skill of public works 

professionals, such as engineers, administrators, and servicemen. 


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National Public Works Week is observed each year during the 

month of May. Spearheaded by the American Public Works Association, the following groups are also cosponsoring efforts to increase awareness of the dedication of public works professionals 

during this week: American Council of Engineering Companies; 

American Society of Civil Engineers; American Shore & Beach 

Preservation Association; Associated General Contractors of America; National Association of Clean Water Agencies; National Association of Water Companies; American Road and Transportation 

Builders Association; and Water Environment Federation. 

SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

H. Res. 313 recognizes the significant diverse contributions that 

public works professionals make every day to improve the U.S. 

public infrastructure and the communities that they serve, and 

states that the House of Representatives: (1) supports the goals 

and ideas of National Public Works Week; (2) recognizes and celebrates the important service that public works professionals make 

to each citizen’s daily life; and (3) urges citizens and communities 

throughout the United States to pay tribute to these efforts from 

May 17 through May 23, 2009 together with the Federal government. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On April 1, 2009, Chairman James L. Oberstar introduced H. 

Res. 313. On April 2, 2009, the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure met in open session and ordered H. Res. 313 reported favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum present. 

In the 110th Congress, Chairman James L. Oberstar introduced 

H. Res. 1137 on April 23, 2008. On May 7, 2008, the Subcommittee 

on Water Resources and Environment met to consider H. Res. 

1137. The Subcommittee agreed to H. Res. 1137, and favorably recommended it to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure by voice vote with a quorum present. On May 15, 2008, the 

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Res. 1137. The Committee agreed to the resolution and ordered it reported favorably to the House by voice vote 

with a quorum present. On May 19, 2008, the Committee reported 

the resolution to the House. H. Rept. 110–654. On May 21, 2008, 

the House agreed to H. Res. 1137 by voice vote with a quorum 

present. 

On May 1, 2007, Chairman James L. Oberstar introduced H. 

Res. 352. On May 2, 2007, the Committee on Transportation and 

Infrastructure met in open session to consider H. Res. 352. The 

Committee agreed to the resolution and ordered it reported favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum present. On May 

8, 2007, the Committee reported the resolution to the House. H. 

Rept. 110–135. On May 15, 2007, the House agreed to H. Res. 352 

by voice vote with a quorum present. 

RECORD VOTES

Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives requires 

each committee report to include the total number of votes cast for 

and against on each record vote on a motion to report and on any 


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amendment offered to the measure or matter, and the names of 

those members voting for and against. There were no recorded 

votes taken in connection with ordering H. Res. 313 reported. A 

motion to order H. Res. 313 reported favorably to the House was 

agreed to by voice vote with a quorum present. 

COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee’s oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in this report. 

COST OF LEGISLATION

With respect to the requirements of clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 313 is a House 

resolution and therefore does not have the force of law. As such, 

there is no cost associated with this legislation for fiscal year 2009, 

or for any fiscal year thereafter. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII

1. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, and 308(a) of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the 

resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no comparison of the total estimated funding level for the relevant programs to the appropriate levels under current law is required. 

2. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee advises that the resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no statement of general performance and objectives for any 

measure that authorizes funding is required. 

3. With respect to the requirement of clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII 

of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 402 of the 

Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee advises that the 

resolution contains no measure that authorizes funding, so no cost 

estimate nor comparison for any measure that authorizes funding 

is required. 

COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XXI

Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives, H. Res. 313 does not contain any congressional 

earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined 

in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, H. Res. 313 is a resolution of the House of Representatives and therefore does not have the force of law. As such, 

clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII does not apply. 

FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

H. Res. 313 contains no federal mandates. 


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PREEMPTION CLARIFICATION

Section 423 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the 

report of any Committee on a bill or joint resolution to include a 

statement on the extent to which the bill or joint resolution is intended to preempt state, local, or tribal law. The Committee states 

that H. Res. 313 does not preempt any state, local, or tribal law. 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act are created by this legislation. 

APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to the 

terms and conditions of employment or access to public services or 

accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104–1). 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

H. Res. 313 makes no changes in existing law. 

Æ 


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