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; 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
05:51 Oct 03, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HC223.RFS
HC223
jbell on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
HCON 223 RFS 
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; 
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 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
05:51 Oct 03, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HC223.RFS
HC223
jbell on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
HCON 223 RFS 
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 
‘‘National Surveyors Week’’ would be a fitting tribute to 
all surveyors: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That Congress— 
(1) supports the establishment of National Sur-
veyors Week; 
(2) requests that the President 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 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
05:51 Oct 03, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HC223.RFS
HC223
jbell on PROD1PC69 with BILLS
HCON 223 RFS 
constantly modernizing this honored and learned 
profession. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 24 
(legislative day September 23), 2008. 
Attest: 
LORRAINE C. MILLER, 
Clerk. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
05:51 Oct 03, 2008
Jkt 079200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\HC223.RFS
HC223
jbell on PROD1PC69 with BILLS