SPACE SCIENCE, APPLICATIONS, AND ADVANCED RESEARCH, 1963-69 253 



Pelly, the ranking Republican on the subcommittee, emphasized 

 the bipartisan character of the hearings by observing: 



There is, it seems to me, great danger of our overlooking the values of aero- 

 nautical research. I don't think the payoff of Federal investment in research is general- 

 ly recognized. Only the engineering and scientific fraternities fully comprehend the 

 needs and the benefits of this research effort. So I join with you today in hoping that 

 our hearing will contribute along this line. 



Edward C. Welsh, Executive Secretary of the National Aero- 

 nautics and Space Council, added his voice in support of the com- 

 mittee's efforts with the following excerpted comment: 



I respectfully express commendation to you and your colleagues for focusing 

 thoughtful attention on the essentiality of research and development in the field of 

 aeronautics. The outstanding witnesses you have called for this serious examination 

 of present and future aeronautical needs should help you perform a real public service 

 with these hearings. 



On September 24, 1968, Dr. Thomas O. Paine, who was to replace 

 Webb as Administrator, was the leadoff witness for the aeronautical 

 hearings. It was Paine's maiden appearance on Capitol Hill. His hrst 

 words were: 



Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, before beginning my statement, 

 I would like to say that it is a distinct personal pleasure for me to appear for the first 

 time before this subcommittee which has contributed so importantly to the develop- 

 ment and support of the Nation's and NASA's aeronautics programs. 



In addition to officials from NASA, Department of Transportation 

 (including FAA), Department of Defense and written comments by 

 Dr. Hornig (Office of Science and Technology), the committee heard 

 testimony from two former FAA Administrators (Generals McKee 

 and Quesada), the Air Line Pilots Association, Aircraft Owners and 

 Pilots Association, Aerospace Industries Association, Professional Air 

 Traffic Controllers Organization, Air Transport Association and 

 officials of four major airlines, the National Air Carrier Association, 

 and the Flight Safety Foundation. 



A little over a year later, at the end of November 1969, Hechler 

 phoned William A. Anders, Executive Secretary of the National 

 Aeronautics and Space Council. Anders, who had been lunar module 

 pilot for the historic Apollo 8 Christmas trip around the Moon in 

 1968, had been aboard shortly over two months in his new position. 

 Anders invited Hechler to dinner and over London broil and later on 

 into the night in Anders' office in the Executive Office Building, they 

 mulled over what could be done to move the Nation's aeronautics 

 program forward. Hechler then invited Anders to be the leadoff wit- 

 ness in a new set of subcommittee hearings starting December 1, 1969. 

 The hearings were a continuation and updating of the very provocative 

 hearings held in the fall of 1968 on the same subject. In opening the 

 1969 hearings. Hechler noted: 



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