Set a user field with US States and search the field

[mvigod]

I wanted to know if it's possible to add another custom user field with a popup list of states (select box?) so the user can pick the state they live in and then have a search feature added with the ability to choose from the same popup list of states and search for users that match that.

So if I want to find all the people in NJ I could search for them and find them. The field would be filled in when they register and available to them if they modify their profile (if they move).

Has anyone done this yet? Is there a hack? I'm a member and I saw only one post that mentioned this but it referred to a thread that I was not allowed to see even though I am a licensed user, registered and added my name to the support list fields. I don't think that thread covered all these questions anyway. Has this hack been done yet? Any help is truly appreciated!