gO HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



The record indicates that prior to becoming chairman, Representa- 

 tive Teague was not a frequent participant in the panel discussions. 

 Chairman Teaguc felt that the ongoing work of the committee should 

 not be in any way delegated to those on the outside. Although a vast 

 amount of work and effort went into general receptions enabling the 

 committee to meet with scientists, engineers, astronauts, and those asso- 

 ciated with the space program and other activities of the committee, 

 the formal sessions of the Panel on Science and Technology were not 

 revived after 1972. 



THE PASSING OF THE SCEPTER 



Although not a completely well man, Overton Brooks kept up a 

 supercharged schedule during the l)i years that he chaired the House 

 Committee on Science and Astronautics. Under his chairmanship, the 

 new committee became firmly established, staffed, tested, and expanded 

 to the limits of its jurisdiction, produced a plethora of studies and 

 reports of high quality, earned the respect of the scientific community, 

 served as a sounding board for the public in new and challenging areas, 

 fully established the principle of annual authorizations by law which 

 was an essential tool for oversight, and helped educate all Members 

 of Congress in the complex fields of science and space. 



In I960, the McNaught Syndicate presented to the House Com- 

 mittee on Science and Astronautics the Holmes Alexander Award as 

 the "House Committee of I960." The award noted that: 



This committee has distinguished itself by its inspiring work in the sciences, in 

 space exploration and in astronautical research. * * * The committee, established 

 in January 1959, is the only committee with jurisdiction over science in general in 

 addition to space. The devotion of the Members to the activities of this committee 

 has been inspiring to behold. 



Although Chairman Brooks met some angry opposition from other 

 committee chairmen who felt the fledgling committee was infringing 

 on their jurisdiction, he had a powerful ally in the leadership in Major- 

 ity Leader John W. McCormack, the chairman of the original select 

 committee who remained on the standing committee through most of 

 Brooks' tenure. When Brooks wrote McCormack in mid-December 1959 

 to ask his opinion about changing the subcommittees, McCormack, in 

 a typical response, said simply: "I will follow your leadership." Other 

 committee chairmen and executive branch officials who threatened to 

 go over Brooks' head to Speaker Rayburn soon found out that John 

 McCormack was in the doorway. 



After the very strenuous sessions of 1959, I960, and 1961, Brooks 

 finallv entered Bethcsda Naval Hospital for a long-dreaded operation 

 in August 1961. His gall bladder was removed, and it was decided to 



