http://blogs.asce.org/president2009 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:17:30 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en Today marks the end of my stewardship of the ASCE President's Blog. Beginning next week, Blaine Leonard will have the privilege of sharing his thoughts with you each week. Please accept my sincere appreciation for spending a few minutes each week reading this space. I have tried ... http://blogs.asce.org/president2009/?p=214 Last week, ASCE held the first meeting of a new group, the Industry Leaders Council. This group consists of invited leaders in the civil engineering industry, representing public and private entities. Their purpose is to bring ASCE the best insights into what is happening in the profession. ... http://blogs.asce.org/president2009/?p=212 Today is Columbus Day. I still remember "in 14 hundred and 92, Columbus sailed the ocean blue …" History has revealed that the discovery of the New World may not have been exactly according to the old rhyme. Today, we remember it mostly as a federal holiday, ... http://blogs.asce.org/president2009/?p=210 The Executive Officers and Executive Directors of the Founder Societies met last week in Kansas City. Representing the major branches of engineering, the discussion revealed a number of common challenges. I find it interesting that even though we deliver different value to our communities and the marketplace, we ... http://blogs.asce.org/president2009/?p=208 In August, ASCE participated in a joint ceremony with Canadian and Spanish engineers recognizing the significance of the mapping of North America's west coast by Captain George Vancouver in the 1790s. We designated the maps an International Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. You would have to see the rugged ... http://blogs.asce.org/president2009/?p=206 What are you doing at the end of October? If you are still open, I encourage you to join us in Kansas City for our Annual Conference. We have a full program built around major issues facing civil engineering. You will have the opportunity to participate in ... http://blogs.asce.org/president2009/?p=204 Did you see the recent press release from the EPA? Administrator Lisa Jackson announced that the EPA is beginning the process of declaring carbon dioxide to be a pollutant. Do not miss the significance of this process. Making carbon dioxide a regulated substance will have a huge impact on civil ... http://blogs.asce.org/president2009/?p=200 Happy New Year! Yes, I know the date. However, we celebrate two new years in the U.S. -– the famous one with parties and tax issues and the start of the new school year. I never cease to be amazed at how much of our lives revolves ... http://blogs.asce.org/president2009/?p=198 Doubtless you remember the ARRA, affectionately dubbed the Stimulus Act. The nation was sold on the idea of infrastructure playing a significant role in building our way out of the recession. However, only 10% of the money allocated in ARRA went to infrastructure. Lately, we've been hearing about ... http://blogs.asce.org/president2009/?p=194 We are in the height of hurricane season in the U.S. All you landlubbers that do not live on the coasts should keep reading. The U.S. coastline from Baltimore to Brownsville is at risk of a major hurricane strike every year. (I know they sometimes strike farther north, but that ... http://blogs.asce.org/president2009/?p=189