89–008 

111TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 111–440 

SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL 

PUBLIC WORKS WEEK, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES 

MARCH 12, 2010.—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. 1125] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, to whom 

was referred the resolution (H. Res. 1125) 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

H. Res. 1125 recognizes the contribution of public works professionals to communities across the country by facilitating a resolution to recognize this year’s National Public Works Week, which 

will be observed from May 16, 2010, through May 22, 2010. 

BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

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

out by the federal or state government for the benefit of the community. These projects and programs include: transportation systems, such as 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 communities. 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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1Direct jobs are charged directly to the project, and include workers employed to build a facility or upgrade equipment on-site. Consistent with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 

(DOT) reports pursuant to section 1201 of the Recovery Act, the number of direct jobs is based 

on direct, on-project full-time-equivalent (FTE) job months. One person working full time or two 

people working one-half time for one month represents one FTE job month. FTE job months 

are calculated by dividing cumulative job hours created or sustained by 173 hours (40 hours per 

week times 52 weeks divided by 12 months = 173 hours). In addition, DOT is subject to additional reporting requirements pursuant to section 1512 of the Recovery Act and Office of Management and Budget guidance. In section 1512 reports, recipients report quarterly employment 

by dividing the hours worked in the reporting quarter by the hours in a full-time schedule in 

that quarter. 2 Indirect jobs are not charged directly to the project, but are embedded in materials costs and 

include positions at companies that produce construction materials such as steel, sand, gravel, 

and asphalt, or manufacture equipment such as new transit buses. Induced jobs are positions 

that are created or sustained when employees spend their increased incomes on goods and services. To calculate total employment, which includes direct, indirect, and induced jobs, the Committee assumed that an expenditure of $7,667 creates one FTE job month ($92,000 creates one 

FTE job year). The multiplier is based upon the Council of Economic Advisers’ guidance. 

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, The 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. 1125, supporting the goals and ideals of National Public 

Works Week, and for other purposes, recognizes the significant diverse contributions that public works professionals make every day 

to improve public infrastructure in the United States and the communities that they serve. This resolution highlights the importance 

to our nation, our economy, and our citizens of public works infrastructure, facilities, and services, including: transportation systems, 

including aviation, highways, bridges, public transit, and rail; gas 

and hazardous liquid pipelines; water supply infrastructure, including levees, reservoirs, and other flood damage reduction measures; 

sewage and refuse disposal systems; and public buildings. 

H. Res. 1125 states that the House of Representatives— 

(1) supports the goals and ideals of National Public Works 

Week; 

(2) recognizes and celebrates the 50th anniversary of National Public Works Week; and 

(3) urges citizens and communities throughout the United 

States to pay tribute to these efforts from May 16 through May 

22, 2010 together with the Federal Government. 

This resolution also notes the successful implementation of the 

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111–5) (Recovery Act), and observes that work has begun on 10,348 projects 

totaling $22.8 billion, or 60 percent of the total funds made available under the Act for highway, transit, and wastewater infrastructure formula programs. As of December 31, 2009, these projects 

have created or sustained more than 300,000 direct, on-project 

jobs.1 Total employment from these projects, including direct, indirect, and induced jobs, totals more than 938,000 jobs.2 Job creation 

data, along with other transparency and accountability information 


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related to the Recovery Act, are released regularly by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and reflect information directly submitted to the Committee, on a monthly basis, by 

States, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, and public transit 

agencies. The Committee intends to update the data included in 

this resolution prior to Floor consideration, if new information is 

available at that time. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY AND COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

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

Res. 313, supporting the goals and ideals of National Public Works 

Week for 2009. On April 2, 2009, the Committee on Transportation 

and Infrastructure met in an open session and ordered H. Res. 313 

reported favorably to the House by voice vote with a quorum 

present. On April 21, 2009, the Committee reported the resolution 

to the House. H. Rept. 110–80. On May 5, 2009, the House agreed 

to H. Res. 313 by voice vote under suspension of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives. 

On March 2, 2010, Representative Thomas S. P. Perriello introduced H. Res. 1125, supporting the goals and ideals of National 

Public Works Week. On March 3, 2010, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure met in open session and ordered H. 

Res. 1125 reported favorably to the House 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 

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. 1125 reported. A 

motion to order H. Res. 1125 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(c)(2) of rule XIII of 

the Rules of the House of Representatives, H. Res. 1125 is a resolution of the House of Representatives, and therefore does not have 

the force of law. As such, there is no cost associated with this legislation for fiscal year 2010, 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. 


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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, the Committee is required to include a list of congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits, 

as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI of the Rules of 

the House of Representatives. H. Res. 1125 does not contain any 

earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits under 

clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI. 

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

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

of Representatives, H. Res. 1125 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. 1125 contains no Federal mandates. 

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. 1125 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 (P.L. 104–1). 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW MADE BY THE BILL, AS REPORTED

H. Res. 1125 makes no changes in existing law. 

Æ 


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