14 HNTORY OF THE COMMITTEE OX SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



entire spectrum of support for the development of science and 

 technology. Soviet mastery of space loomed as a military threat. 



The House Committee on Science and Astronautics was authorized 

 by House Resolution 580 on July 21, 1958. The birthday of the Senate 

 Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences did not occur until 

 three days later on July 24, 1958. More significant was the fact that the 

 jurisdiction of the House committee was markedly broader than that 

 of the Senate committee. 



The jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and 

 Space Sciences was stipulated as follows: 



Aeronautical and space activities, as that term is defined in the National Aero- 

 nautics and Space Act of 1958, except those which are peculiar to or primarily as- 

 sociated with the development of weapons systems or military operations. 



Matters relating generally to the scientific aspects of such aeronautical and 

 space activities, except those which are peculiar to or primarily associated with the 

 development of weapons systems or military operations. 



National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 



Meanwhile, the House of Representatives voted to give the new 

 House Committee on Science and Astronautics the following broader 

 charter of jurisdiction: 



Astronautical research and development, including resources, personnel, equip- 

 ment, and facilities. 



Bureau of Standards, standardization of weights and measures, and the metric 

 system. 



National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 



National Aeronautics and Space Council. 



National Science Foundation. 



Outer space, including exploration and control thereof. 



Science scholarships. 



Scientific research and development. 



The broader jurisdiction of the House committee, as well as the 

 issue of who should chair the new committee, developed primarily 

 because of personality issues. House Majority Whip Carl Albert of 

 Oklahoma, small in stature but brilliant in rhetoric and legislative 

 craftsmanship, was the author and prime mover behind House Resolu- 

 tion 580 which created the new committee. 



"They talked about making me chairman of the committee," 

 Albert recalled. "And John McCormack wanted me to be chairman." 



McCormack had another interest which had become stronger over 

 the years — that there should be a Department of Science of Cabinet 

 rank. This deep interest manifested itself during the complex maneuver- 

 ing over the chairmanship and jurisdiction of the new standing 

 committee. 



In addition, McCormack observed: 



I wanted to create a committee that had strength, because I pictured in my own 

 mind the importance of science in the world of tomorrow. * * * I wanted a committee 



