IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 472 

Expressing support for designation of the week of October 11, 2015, through 

October 17, 2015, as ‘‘Earth Science Week’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

OCTOBER 8, 2015 

Mr. HONDA (for himself, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Ms. NORTON, Mr. 

PERLMUTTER, Mr. TONKO, Mr. NADLER, Mr. KILMER, Mr. SERRANO, 

Ms. EDWARDS, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. LIPINSKI, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. 

HECK of Washington, Mr. POLIS, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. FOSTER, Mr. 

LOWENTHAL, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Mr. CA ́RDENAS, Ms. BONAMICI, 

Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. PETERS, Mr. KEATING, Ms. LOFGREN, Mr. TED

LIEU of California, Ms. SPEIER, Mr. COSTA, Mr. BECERRA, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. SWALWELL of California, 

Mr. FARR, Ms. CLARK of Massachusetts, Mr. MCNERNEY, Mr. TAKANO, 

and Mr. TAKAI) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 

to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to 

the Committee on Education and the Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 

provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designation of the week of October 

11, 2015, through October 17, 2015, as ‘‘Earth Science 

Week’’. 

Whereas this year marks the 18th annual international Earth 

Science Week, designated by the American Geosciences 

Institute to help the public gain a better understanding 


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•HRES 472 IH 

and appreciation for the earth sciences and to encourage 

stewardship of the Earth; 

Whereas the theme for 2015, ‘‘Visualizing Earth Systems’’, 

promotes better public understanding of Earth’s natural 

systems by showing data and observations in an illustrative manner; 

Whereas the study of earth sciences leads to an improved understanding of the Earth’s natural systems and the interplay between human society and these systems; 

Whereas the earth sciences are integral to the discovery, development, and conservation of energy, water, and natural resources and to the safe disposal of waste products; 

Whereas the earth sciences provide the basis for mitigating 

natural hazards such as droughts, earthquakes, floods, 

coastal erosion, hurricanes, and landslides; 

Whereas understanding earth science is essential to the design and safe construction of buildings and infrastructure; 

Whereas earth scientists study and interpret the Earth, the 

ocean, its environment, and life as they have changed 

through time; 

Whereas the earth sciences enhance our understanding of 

current and past global conditions, and offer a basis for 

anticipating future conditions; 

Whereas the ocean covers 71 percent of the Earth’s surface 

and provides 99 percent of the Earth’s habitat, more 

than 50 percent of the United States population is found 

within coastal counties, and earth scientists working in 

marine environments contribute to the understanding of 

our global ocean and river systems enabling advanceVerDate Sep 11 2014 00:52 Oct 09, 2015 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR472.IH HR472

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•HRES 472 IH 

ments in food management, national security, energy resources, transportation, economy, and recreation; 

Whereas the earth sciences support our ability to manage 

healthy and productive soils and ocean and river waters 

and fisheries, the foundation for our Nation’s food supply; 

Whereas the earth sciences contribute to our understanding 

of Earth as a planet in our solar system and the universe; 

Whereas earth science research leads to the development of 

innovative new technologies and industries that fuel the 

American economy and improve our quality of life; 

Whereas earth science researchers and educators drive creativity and passion for the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields among students 

of all ages through diverse and innovative education and 

public outreach efforts; 

Whereas geological aspects of resources, hazards, and environment are vital to land management and land use decisions at local, State, regional, national, and international 

levels; 

Whereas geoscientists and researchers in our Nation’s labs, 

universities, research institutions, and Federal agencies, 

including USGS, NASA, NOAA, NPS, NSF, and DOE, 

continually push the frontiers of human knowledge of the 

world around us, help develop and incubate the concepts 

and programs that keep United States companies and industries at the innovative forefront of the world’s economy, and inspire future generations of researchers, scientists, and informed citizens; and 


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Whereas the earth sciences make vital contributions to our 

understanding of and respect for nature and our home 

planet: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the designation of ‘‘Earth Science 

3 Week’’; 

4 (2) expresses strong support for the goals and 

5 ideals of Earth Science Week and its aims to in6 crease understanding of and interest in earth science 

7 at the local, State, national, and international levels; 

8 (3) recognizes the importance of education and 

9 public outreach efforts to ensure the United States 

10 public gains a better understanding and appreciation 

11 for the impact of the earth sciences on their daily 

12 lives; 

13 (4) encourages K–12 students to participate in 

14 local, State, and national events in connection with 

15 Earth Science Week and to get involved in the cele16 bration by exploring artistic and academic applica17 tions of earth science; and 

18 (5) encourages the people of the United States 

19 to observe Earth Science Week with appropriate ac20 tivities to gain a better understanding and apprecia21 tion for the earth sciences and to encourage steward22 ship of the Earth. 

Æ 


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