252 HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



The committee notes with satisfaction that the aeronautics budget — including 

 such important matters as the supersonic transport, V/STOL aircraft development, 

 XB-70 flight research and aircraft noise reduction — is up substantially over the limited 

 fiscal year 1967 program. 



The efforts of the subcommittee were clearly effective in 1967 in 

 stimulating increased emphasis on aeronautics. As reported to the 

 House on June 22, 1967, Chairman Hechler observed: 



The Congress has made considerable effort over the past several years to stimulate 

 more research in aeronautics. We have authorized additional moneys and we have 

 prodded NASA with our report language. They have responded this year by increas- 

 ing their request by almost $31 million which the committee feels is not only justi- 

 fiable, but is more in keeping with the vital needs of this industry. Of specific interest 

 to the Congress will be the amount of money allocated to improving or reducing air- 

 craft noise. NASA is planning a research program totalling $6.8 million. This program 

 includes research on the aircraft engine, research on aircraft flight patterns to reduce 

 noise around airports, and the development of a new, quieter engine which will come 

 to fruition in about seven to eight years. 



Other members continued to stress the need for more emphasis on 

 aeronautics. Pelly told the committee in 1968: 



I don't know of anything right now that is of more interest to our country, as 

 far as economy goes, than aeronautics research. 



A little over a year before Neil Armstrong first set foot on the 

 Moon, Roush was saying: 



If I were to establish a priority between aeronautics and going to the Moon, I 

 would have to place this ahead of going to the Moon. It seems it has more practical 

 implications, that it best serves the interests of the United States; that it best serves 

 the economy of the United States, that it best serves our relationship with other 

 nations; that it best serves the question of prestige. 



Representative George E. Brown, Jr. (Democrat of California) 

 also underlined the fact that NASA should be placing more stress on 

 aeronautics, if it were to come anywhere near to the proportionate 

 effort going into research for ground transportation. 



In September and October 1968, the Hechler subcommittee held 

 important hearings to identify the priorities needed in aeronautical 

 research and development. In opening the hearings, Hechler com- 

 mented: 



The United States has always ranked at or near the top in nearly every phase of 

 aeronautics because of the foresight which has enabled so much effort to be concen- 

 trated in advanced research. I deplore the efforts to squeeze, pare down, eliminate, or 

 cripple advanced research in aeronautics in the name of either economy or the stress 

 demands of very immediate practical application. If these hearings accomplish 

 nothing else, I hope they will focus national attention on the urgency of greater 

 emphasis on aeronautical research. We cannot afford to slow down an effort which is 

 so vital to all the people and to the strength ot the Nation itself. Whether we are 

 talking about civil air transport, noise, air pollution, safety, congestion, or improve- 

 ments in aircraft themselves — and this list is certainly not all-inclusive — we desper- 

 ately need more research effort, intelligently organized and directed. 



