91 



years of work since the first bills to create a National Science 

 Foundation were introduced on July 19, 1945. 



July 30, 1947: A temporary Congressional Aviation Policy Board 

 was established to survey and report on the development of a na- 

 tional aviation policy adequate for national defense, interstate 

 and foreign commerce, and postal service needs. (Public Law 287; 

 61 Stat. 676) (The Board submitted its findings in Senate Report 

 949 of March 1, 1948) 



August 5, 1947: Army-Navy Public Health Service Medical Officer 

 Procurement Act of 1947. Provided additional inducements to 

 physicians, surgeons and dentists to make a career of U.S. mili- 

 tary, naval or public health services. (Public Law 365; 61 Stat. 

 776) 



August 6, 1947: By act of Congress, the duties and functions of the 

 Coast and Geodetic Survey were consolidated. 



August 6, 1947: President Truman vetoed S. 526, the first bill 

 passed by Congress to establish a National Science Foundation 

 and an Interdepartmental Committee on Science on the grounds 

 that the proposed organizational structure would make it impos- 

 sible for him to assure proper administration. 



September-October 1947: The 5-vol. Steelman report entitled "Sci- 

 ence and Public Policy" was issued. With respect to Executive 

 Office science organization the report recommended that the 

 President designate a member of the White House staff for scien- 

 tific liaison, that the Bureau of the Budget set up a unit for re- 

 viewing Federal scientific research and development programs, 

 and that an Interdepartmental Committee for Scientific Re- 

 search be created. 



December 24, 1947: Interdepartmental Committee on Scientific Re- 

 search and Development established by E.O. 9912. Presidential 

 assistant Dr. John R. Steelman, was designated to provide liaison 

 between the President and the committee and between the Office 

 of the President and the scientific community. 



December 31, 1947: Office of Scientific Research and Development 

 in the Executive Office of the President was terminated and re- 

 maining personnel, records, and property were transferred to the 

 National Military Establishment. OSRD created in 1941, in the 

 Office for Emergency Management, had under Director Vanne- 

 var Bush served as a high-level coordinating body for scientific 

 research and medical problems related to national defense 

 during World War II. 



April 24, 1948: Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to establish 

 research laboratories for research and study of foot-and-mouth 

 disease or other animal diseases which constitue a threat to the 

 U.S. livestock industry. (Public Law 496; 62 Stat. 198) 



June 16, 1948: An act authorizing the Weather Bureau to study the 

 causes and characteristics of thunderstorms, hurricanes, cyclones 

 and other atmospheric disturbances. (Public Law 657; 62 Stat. 

 470) 



June 16, 1948: The National Heart Act authorized the National 

 Heart Institute to conduct, assist, and foster research; provide 

 training; and assist the States in the prevention, diagnosis, and 

 treatment of heart diseases. In addition, the act changed the 



