[House Report 108-745] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 108th Congress Report HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2d Session 108-745 ====================================================================== CONGRATULATING THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY ON ITS 125TH ANNIVERSARY _______ October 6, 2004.--Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed Mr. Pombo, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the following R E P O R T [To accompany H. Res. 556] The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the resolution (H. Res. 556) congratulating the United States Geological Survey on its 125th Anniversary, having considered the same, report favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the resolution be agreed to. PURPOSE OF THE BILL The purpose of H. Res. 556 is to congratulate the United States Geological Survey on its 125th Anniversary. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION March 3, 2004, marked the 125th anniversary of the establishment of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the Nation's premiere earth and biological science agency. During its 125-year history, the USGS has been the birthplace of a number of other federal agencies, including the Reclamation Service (later renamed the Bureau of Reclamation) in 1902, the Forest Service in 1905, the United States Bureau of Mines in 1910, the Grazing Service (later renamed the Bureau of Land Management) in 1934, and the Minerals Management Service in 1982. The USGS has a scientific presence in every State and Territory of the United States and serves the Nation's extensive and diverse needs for objective scientific knowledge and understanding. The agency has no regulatory or land management responsibilities and is thus a trusted entity to provide impartial science that serves the needs of the Nation. The agency is widely respected as a source of relevant and objective science regarding the Nation's natural resource issues and continues to serve the Nation as an independent fact-finding agency that collects, monitors, analyzes, and provides scientific information and understanding about natural hazards, and natural resource conditions, issues, and problems. COMMITTEE ACTION Congressman James Moran (D-VA) introduced H. Res. 556 on March 10, 2004. The bill was referred to the Committee on Resources and within the Committee to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. On September 15, 2004, the Full Resources Committee met to consider the resolution. The Subcommittee was discharged from further consideration of the bill by unanimous consent. No amendments were offered and the resolution was ordered favorably reported to the House of Representatives by unanimous consent. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Resources' oversight findings and recommendations are reflected in the body of this report. CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United States grants Congress the authority to enact this bill. COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE RULE XIII 1. Cost of Legislation. Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be incurred in carrying out this bill. H. Res. 556 is a resolution to congratulate the United States Geological Survey on its 125th Anniversary. No costs are involved. 2. Congressional Budget Act. As required by clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures. 3. General Performance Goals and Objectives. This bill does not authorize funding and therefore, clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives does not apply. COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC LAW 104-4 This bill contains no unfunded mandates. PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL OR TRIBAL LAW This bill is not intended to preempt any State, local or tribal law. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW If enacted, this bill would make no changes in existing law.