WHEREAS, Geologists use their professional specialized and scientific knowledge and skills in creative and innovative ways to safeguard Californias environment, economy, and people; and

WHEREAS, The history of the State of California is closely tied to the geologic riches of the state as well as the geologic hazards that exist within the state; and

WHEREAS, The unique geology of the state is the source of the raw materials necessary to create the technologies that help the citizens of California thrive, the materials used to build the states infrastructure, and the source of energy used to power our modern society; and

WHEREAS, An accurate understanding of geology is necessary for the success of all engineered structures within the state, including every building or structure, dam, roadway, landfill, levee, and waterway; and

WHEREAS, The protection and management of the water resources of the state, both surface and underground, for the beneficial use of its citizens, is dependent upon an understanding of geology and hydrogeology; and

WHEREAS, The geologic profession is critical for the responsible development of geologic resources for the benefit of humanity (for example oil and gas, commercial mineral production, construction aggregates, etc.), and the mitigation of the negative effects of such development; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of California must cope with the effects, in both dollars and in lives, of natural geologic hazards, such as landslides, earthquakes, volcanic hazards, flooding, coastal erosion, tsunamis, and hazardous minerals; and

WHEREAS, The unique geology of the state also influences the occurrence of manmade hazards such as abandoned mines, or contaminated soil and groundwater, as well as the mitigation of such hazards; and

WHEREAS, An understanding of geology is necessary to meet the goals set by the citizens of California with regard to stewardship of the environment, including the responsible management of hazardous and nonhazardous waste, and confronting climate change; and

WHEREAS, On August 1, 1968, Governor Ronald Reagan signed Assembly Bill 600, the Geologist Act, into law, creating the State Board of Registration for Geologists, and regulating the geologic profession in California; and

WHEREAS, The licensure of the geologic profession recommended itself through benefits to the safety, health, and property of the people of California and to the promotion of the public welfare; and

WHEREAS, These benefits are in the fields of geology as related to engineering, groundwater, mineral exploration and development, geologic hazards, the further development of the science of geology, and other geologic matters of concern to the people of the state; and

WHEREAS, Geophysics is an important branch of geology that uses natural and induced fields of force to study the earth to provide detailed information in situations where other geologic techniques are inadequate; and

WHEREAS, A diverse and vigorous geoscience workforce is necessary to protect the citizens of California and to ensure resiliency to geologic hazards; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of this resolution is to acknowledge the services bestowed upon the citizens of California by Professional Geologists and Professional Geophysicists, to increase the understanding of and interest in geoscience careers, and to promote public understanding of geology and geophysics; and

WHEREAS, August 1, 2018, marks the 50th anniversary of the Geologist Act; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate hereby proclaims the week of July 29, 2018, through August 4, 2018, inclusive, as Professional Geologist and Professional Geophysicist Week; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

SR 92

Senate Floor

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