101 



August 16, 1968: A National Eye Institute in the National Insti- 

 tutes of Health was approved with the passage of the National 

 Eye Institute Act. The Institute will focus on curing and prevent- 

 ing blindness, and other eye disorders and will conduct and sup- 

 port research and training on the health problems and needs of 

 the blind. It is hoped that the creation of a separate institute de- 

 voted to the problems of sight will result in significant advances 

 in this field. (Public Law 90-489; 82 Stat. 771) 



September 26, 1968: This act established a National Water Commis- 

 sion to review water resources problems and programs. The 

 presidentially appointed commission is expected to submit recom- 

 mendations that will aid in more efficient use of existing water 

 supplies and suggest new ways to develop water. (Public Law 90- 

 515; 82 Stat. 868). The final report of the Commission was sub- 

 mitted June 14, 1973 and the Commission went out of existence 

 later that year. 



October 18, 1968: Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act of 

 1968 amended the Public Health Service Act to insert safeguards 

 to workers and consumers who make or use electronic products, 

 to assure against "unnecessary hazardous radiation." Safety 

 standards are to be set by the Secretary of Health, Education, 

 and Welfare after consultation with the Commerce Department 

 (National Bureau of Standards) and advisory committees repre- 

 sented by government, industry and the general public. The leg- 

 islation is significant because electronic products are manufac- 

 tured and used so widely that almost the entire population of the 

 nation can be affected by potential radiation damage. (Public 

 Law 90-602; 82 Stat. 1173) 



March 5, 1970: By E.O. 11514, responsibilities of the Council on En- 

 vironmental Quality in the Executive Office of the President, 

 which had been established by P.L. 91-190, were set forth. 



July 1, 1970: By Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1970 and E.O. 11541, 

 July 1, 1970, the Bureau of the Budget in the Executive Office of 

 the President was redesignated as the Office of Management and 

 Budget. 



Reorganization Plan No. 2 also established a Domestic Council 

 in the Executive Office of the President. Duties of the Council, 

 including the developing for the President of alternative propos- 

 als for reaching national domestic goals, and providing policy 

 advice to the President on domestic issues, were spelled out in 

 E.O. 11541. 



July 1, 1971: Domestic Council New Technology effort started 

 under William M. Magruder. 



August 16, 1971: Public Law 92-125 established the National Advi- 

 sory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere. The basic Act direct- 

 ed NACOA to (1) perform a continuing review of the progress of 

 the marine and atmospheric science and service programs of the 

 United States; (2) advise the Secretary of Commerce with respect 

 to the carrying out of the purposes of the National Oceans and 

 Atmospheric Administration; and (3) report annually to the 

 President and to the Congress its findings and recommendations, 

 setting forth an overall assessment of the status of the Nation's 

 marine and atmospheric affairs and activities. 



