What's New: To receive these updates and announcements by email, manage your subscription, or review the mailing list archive, go to the NCSE List User Form. Help Congress Congratulate USGS on its 125th Anniversary March 15, 2004—"For 125 years, the United States Geological Survey has provided the science that serves as the basis for our most important decisions," said Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) as he introduced a resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives congratulating the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on its 125th anniversary.    "The House of Representatives… expresses strong support for the United States Geological Survey as it serves the Nation by providing timely, relevant, and objective scientific information which helps to describe and understand the Earth, minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources, and enhance and protect the quality of life of all Americans," according to the resolution (H. Res. 556). The U.S. Geological Survey was established March 3, 1879, after a National Academy of Sciences committee identified the nation's need for a new agency to study the geology and economic resources available on public lands.  Since its inception 125 years ago, the USGS has evolved into a science agency that informs decisions across the U.S., around the world, and beyond.  As Rep. Moran noted in his remarks to the House, "The astronauts who landed on the Moon in 1969 were trained in geology by the USGS." Recognizing that the USGS is critical to providing a strong scientific basis for environmental decisionmaking, the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE) recently helped to form the USGS Coalition.  The Coalition is an alliance of 57 organizations united by a commitment to the continued vitality of the unique combination of biological, geological, hydrological and mapping programs of the U.S. Geological Survey.  As in recent years, the President's budget request for FY 2005 would cut funding for the USGS.  NCSE and the USGS Coalition are working to reverse this trend.  To learn more about the USGS Coalition, please visit http://www.USGScoalition.org or contact Co-Chair Craig Schiffries  (schiffries@NCSEonline.org).   On the occasion of the USGS anniversary, Director Chip Groat commented, "I am delighted to have the opportunity to mark this significant anniversary and invite you to join us as we celebrate 125 years of science for America—the mission that has guided us, the people and traditions that have shaped us, the science that has made us great, and the partnerships that will continue to help us achieve our goals for the next 125 years." The resolution commemorating the USGS has 11 original co-sponsors, including House Science Committee Chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY) and House Appropriations Committee Chairman C.W. Bill Young (R-FL).  The resolution was introduced with the support of the USGS Coalition.  To help support the USGS on its 125th anniversary, please ask your Representative to co-sponsor H. Res. 556.  The House of Representatives switchboard number is 202-224-3121, and you can find the e-mail for your Representative at http://www.house.gov.    The USGS anniversary celebration will include a variety of events throughout the year.  More information is available at http://www.usgs.gov/125.   Craig Schiffries and Amanda Brewster National Council for Science and the Environment 1707 H Street, NW, Suite 200 Washington, DC 20006 Tel: 202-530-5810 Email: policy@NCSEonline.org Web: www.NCSEonline.org

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