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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 361 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

109th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 361

Honoring professional surveyors and recognizing their contributions to 
                                society.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 31, 2006

    Mr. Allen (for himself and Mr. Stevens) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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 this 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;
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 our 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 equipment 
        and techniques, such as 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;
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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recommends the establishment of National Surveyors 
        Week;
            (2) calls on the people of the United States to observe 
        National Surveyors Week each year with appropriate ceremonies 
        and activities paying tribute to professional surveyors and 
        their contribution to society; and
            (3) invites the people of the United States to look back at 
        the historic contributions of surveying and look ahead to the 
        new technologies which are constantly modernizing this honored 
        and learned profession.
                                 <all>
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