III 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. CON. RES. 223 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 25 (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 17), 2008 

Received 

OCTOBER 2 (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 17), 2008 

Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 

Honoring professional surveyors and recognizing their 

contributions to society. 

Whereas there are over 45,000 professional surveyors in the 

United States; 

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; 


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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; 

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 


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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 by the House of Representatives (the Senate 

2 concurring), That Congress— 

3 (1) supports the establishment of National Sur4 veyors Week; 

5 (2) requests that the President issue a procla6 mation calling on the people of the United States to 

7 observe National Surveyors Week each year with ap8 propriate ceremonies and activities paying tribute to 

9 professional surveyors and their contribution to soci10 ety; and 

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

12 look back at the historic contributions of surveying 

13 and look ahead to the new technologies which are 


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1 constantly modernizing this honored and learned 

2 profession. 

Passed the House of Representatives September 24 

(legislative day September 23), 2008. 

Attest: LORRAINE C. MILLER, 

Clerk. 


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