748 HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIEN( I AND TECHNOLOGY 



In a speedy and warm response, Fuqua on February 21 heartily 

 endorsed the idea, suggested joint hearings in mid-July, and also 

 proposed interim measures to encourage "aggressive cooperative ef- 

 forts" by HUD and the VA as well as NASA and HEW. Following 

 up with requests to these agencies, Fuqua joined the six signers of the 

 February 13 letter in written requests to urge them to get started in 

 working out the necessary cooperative relationships. The letter also 

 stated: 



It is important that a senior staff representative from each agency be responsible 

 for developing, implementing and administering such plans and agreements. 



The committee was pleased with the agency response, and in 

 particular the enthusiasm which NASA displayed for the idea. In a 

 followup letter on May 15, 1979, Fuqua told NASA Administrator 

 Frosch : 



Your appointment of Floyd I. Roberson to be NASA's representative will insure 

 decisive action in this area over the coming months. 



Fuqua noted that the joint hearings were scheduled for the week 

 of the 10th anniversary of the first manned landing on the Moon, 

 carrying great symbolism in the new drive to apply space technology 

 to help alleviate the problems of the elderly and handicapped on 

 Earth. 



The crowded hearings on July 19-20, 1979, featured noted futurist 

 and inventor R. Buckminster Fuller, NASA Administrator Frosch, 

 National Space Institute President Hugh Downs and author Robert 

 Heinlein, as well as representatives of other Federal agencies, private 

 manufacturers and universities. In announcing the hearings, Fuqua 

 stated: 



The demands which are placed on our scientists and engineers in meeting the 

 challenges of NASA's space missions will continue to keep this Nation on the leading 

 edge of technology in many fields. We must, likewise, continue to insure that this 

 technology is made available and not "log jammed" within the agency. 



The committee leadership, and the effective efforts of staff mem- 

 bers Roodzant and Clements and the committee consultants, resulted in 

 great strides in research and technology to aid the handicapped. It 

 was an area of clearcut accomplishment for the committee. It repre- 

 sented an expansion of jurisdiction under the heading of "special over- 

 sight" which proved to be significant. 



