THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY PRESTON, GODSHALL, BAKER, BARBIN, BISHOP, BRENNAN, CALTAGIRONE, D. COSTA, DONATUCCI, ELLIS, FAIRCHILD, GEORGE, GERGELY, GINGRICH, HARKINS, HELM, HESS, HICKERNELL, JOSEPHS, KORTZ, KULA, MATZIE, McCALL, McILVAINE SMITH, MILLARD, PHILLIPS, PICKETT, QUINN, READSHAW, SANTONI, SEIP, SIPTROTH, VULAKOVICH, WATSON AND WHEATLEY, MARCH 24, 2010

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 24, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of April 2010 as "Pennsylvania One Call

System Safe Digging Month" to encourage all excavators and

homeowners of this Commonwealth to dial 8-1-1 or

1-800-242-1776 before digging.

WHEREAS, As engineers, designers, excavators and homeowners

work to keep pace with the Commonwealth's unprecedented economic

development, it is important to minimize damage to underground

utility lines, danger to workers and environmental pollution and

loss of utility service to Pennsylvania citizens; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania One Call System, a utility service

information center celebrating more than 38 years of continuous

service to this Commonwealth, is key to preventing injuries and

damage when excavating; and

WHEREAS, This unique service provides easy, one-call

notification about construction and excavation projects which

may endanger workers and jeopardize utility lines while

promoting workplace and public safety, reducing underground

utility damage, minimizing utility service interruptions and

protecting the environment; and

WHEREAS, This vital service, which began with only six

utility companies in western Pennsylvania and the City of

Pittsburgh, now serves more than 100,000 excavators and 3,400

critical infrastructure owners throughout this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Each year the Pennsylvania One Call System receives

more than 750,000 notification requests and transmits more than

six million notifications, providing protection to utility

companies, their employees and customers; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

month of April 2010 as "Pennsylvania One Call System Safe

Digging Month" to encourage all excavators and homeowners of

this Commonwealth to dial 8-1-1 or 1-800-242-1776 before digging

in order to "Know What's Below," avoid injury, protect the

environment, prevent millions of dollars in damages and remind

excavators that three business days' notice is the law, for safe

digging is no accident, and more information may be obtained by

visiting www.PAOneCall.org.