Special Edition - Friday, 3/11/05
Focusing Attention on a National Crisis
The 2005 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure is a critical ASCE initiative that details the trends and progress of America’s infrastructure since the 2003 Progress Report.
The release of the 2005 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure produced unprecedented media coverage and brought attention to a growing national crisis. Such major publications as Associated Press, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times and USA Today published stories about the troubling state of our nation’s infrastructure.
The next day, ASCE President Bill Henry and Executive Director Pat Natale sat in a broadcast studio and, via satellite, were interviewed live by television and radio stations across the country. The media’s coverage of the Report Card release helped ASCE to spread the message that America’s crumbling public works are a real threat to our nation’s economy and quality of life.
With the nation’s overall grade of D, the Report Card received endorsements from many organizations, including the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the American Public Works Association.
On release day, March 9, The Report Card Web site received more than one million hits, and the live Webcast was viewed at more than 900 sites.
>> Read some of the Report Card media coverage
It’s Not Too Late to View the Webcast
Did you miss the live Webcast? If so, you have another opportunity to watch it. You can now view the Webcast on the ASCE Report Card site. Don't miss the opportunity to watch ASCE President Bill Henry, Executive Director Pat Natale, U.S. Conference of Mayors President Donald Plusquellic (Akron, Ohio), Mayor Gregory Nickels of Seattle and APWA President Tom Trice detail the problems that face America’s infrastructure.
You Can Be an Instrument of Change!
Communication with your elected officials really does make a difference! During the March 9 congressional debate preceding House passage of the Transportation Equity Act, Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wisc.), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways, Transit and Pipelines, cited the Report Card grades for transit and roads. In fact, ASCE members have played key roles in influencing public policy debates on civil engineering issues both at the state and federal levels.
As an individual member of ASCE, a first step towards effecting change is urging your legislators to support investment in your community's infrastructure. Use the "6 Clicks" advocacy Web site to communicate directly with your elected officials on this and other civil engineering issues. Get involved and start being part of the solution.
>> Make this the first of your six clicks