650 



< >K\ 01 1111 COMMITTE1 ON Si M > II c MNOLOGY 



The attacks on Dr. Stever came at a critical time when Ford and 

 Ronald Reagan were locked in a tight struggle for the Republican 

 Presidential nomination. Dr. Stever attempted to withdraw his name. 

 but after some delay President Ford announced on July 21 his intention 

 to nominate him. The Senate quickly confirmed Dr. Stever and he was 

 sworn in on August 12, 1976. 



The day before the President's announcement July 20 Dr. 

 Stever appealed before Thornton's DISPA Subcommittee which was 

 holding special oversight hearings on interagency coordination of 

 Federal scientific R. & D. "Dr. Stever, you come wearing many hats, 

 as you often do to our committee," Thornton said in welcoming him. 

 Without hesitation, Dr. Stever responded: 



As you arc aware, we arc in a phase of transition and I'm not sure I am wearing 

 any hat. 



The committee watched with paternal interest and enthusiasm as 

 Dr. Stever, fully supported by President Ford, moved quickly to imple- 

 ment the 1976 act in the brief period of his service from August 1976 

 until his resignation at the end of the Ford administration on 

 January 20, 1977. 



K^** 



Dr. Frank Press, President Carter's Director of the Office of Science and Technology 

 Policy, confers with the President in the Oval Office. 



