Reps. Garfield, Caswell, Brandenburg, Ruth Johnson, Pastor, Nofs, Huizenga, Richardville, Hoogendyk, Woodward, Meyer, Amos, Moolenaar, LaJoy, Robertson, Bieda, Hummel, Zelenko, Rivet, Sheltrown, Lipsey, Farrah, Middaugh, Acciavatti, Daniels, DeRossett, Ehardt, Farhat, Gieleghem, Koetje, Minore, Phillips, Sak, Shaffer, Shulman, Stakoe, Taub, Vander Veen, Voorhees, Caul, Gillard, Jamnick and Murphy offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 222.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to make a stronger commitment to our nation's infrastructure.

            Whereas, The condition of our nation's infrastructure is central to the strength of our country.  From the safety of our drinking water and the quality of our waste treatment systems to the dependability of our telecommunications networks and the reliability of our transportation systems, the infrastructure touches every aspect of American life; and

            Whereas, In spite of the level of our dependence upon this infrastructure, key facilities in every part of the country are facing major challenges.  Roads, bridges, public buildings, dams, water systems, and parts of our communications systems are crumbling with age and from a lack of appropriate investments in maintenance over the years.  Growth patterns and societal changes have also contributed to increasing demands on our infrastructure; and

            Whereas, Limited public funds and financial demands of other policy issues have combined to reduce the nation's investment in its infrastructure relative to the nation's needs.  Inadequate spending on infrastructure needs is short sighted.  It places public safety at risk, jeopardizes the quality of our environment, and threatens the vitality of much of our national economy.  Ignoring the maintenance needs of roads, brides, water systems, and communications could end up far more costly to our country in the long run; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to make a stronger commitment to our nation's infrastructure; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.