IV 
109TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 518 
Honoring professional surveyors and recognizing their contributions to society. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 26, 2005 
Mr. PUTNAM (for himself and Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi) submitted the 
following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Government 
Reform 
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 the 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;
•HRES 518 IH 
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; 
Whereas engineering surveys are utilized in the study and se-
lection 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 so-
phisticated surveying equipment and techniques, includ-
ing satellite-borne remote sensing devices and automated 
positioning, measuring, recording, and plotting equip-
ment; 
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, influen-
tial 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 origi-
nal colonies;
•HRES 518 IH 
Whereas Thomas Jefferson argued that surveying before sale 
was necessary to prevent overlapping claim and to sim-
plify 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, estab-
lishing the Public Land Survey System (‘‘PLSS’’), the 
rectangular system that continues today in 30 mid-
western and western States; and 
Whereas the establishment of the third week of March as Na-
tional Surveyors Week would be a fitting tribute to all 
surveyors: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recommends the establishment of National 
Surveyors Week; 
(2) encourages the President to issue a procla-
mation calling on the people of the United States to 
observe National Surveyors Week each year with ap-
propriate ceremonies and activities paying tribute to 
professional surveyors and their contribution to soci-
ety; 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. 
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