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HISTORY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 



The Committee on Science and Astronautics, almost since its inception, has 

 strongly advocated the utilization of our advanced research resources to provide for 

 the contingencies in aeronautics and aviation as best they could be predicted. 

 This subcommittee, year after year, during the hearings on NASA authorizations, 

 has obtained the approval of the full committee for increased funding of NASA's 

 aeronautical research program. It is thoroughly recognized that the leadership and 

 prestige this Nation now enjoys in aviation is seriously threatened by operating 

 conditions rapidly becoming intolerable, not to overlook the growing competence 

 of our international competitors. 



This was the first appearance as a witness on Capitol Hill which 

 Anders was making in his new job, and at first he was somewhat 

 reluctant to appear. But after laying some groundwork in the Executive 

 Office of the President, the former astronaut appreciated that he could 

 help make a real contribution toward emphasizing aeronautics at the 

 Presidential level. 



Anders opened his remarks by noting: 



It is appropriate that this first appearance of mine deals with aeronautics since, 

 as I have mentioned several times in conversations with you, Mr. Chairman, I intend 

 to insure that the responsibilities in aeronautics that have been assigned to the 

 Council and its staff are not neglected. 



Anders mentioned that he had beefed up his immediate staff 

 "with aeronautical specialists." He mentioned that he planned to 

 take a more active role on behalf of the Council in coordinating 

 aeronautics research and development policy, as well as to add input 

 to the on-going study being jointly prepared by NASA and the Depart- 

 ment of Defense. In one of his opening questions, Hechler asked 

 Anders: 



How were you able to get up to the Moon so successfully when now we are unable 

 to solve a lot of these aeronautical problems of a more mundane nature? 



Anders answered: 



The problem of landing on the Moon really is kind of a simple one. The President 

 stated his requirement. He gave the job to the engineers * * * Congress got behind 

 them and provided the funds to do the job. This is mainly a technical job. The problem 

 we are talking about today, aeronautics, is a technical one, but it is also a "people" 

 problem. It reminds me of Dr. von Braun's comment when asked that same question. 

 He said it reminded him of a situation at a large dinner party, where he knew where 

 he was, he knew where his seat was, but it was always so difficult to get there 

 because there were so many people in the way. 



In addition to witnesses from NASA, the Department of Trans- 

 portation (including FAA), and the Department of Defense, the sub- 

 committee heard from former NASA official Dr. Raymond L. Bispling- 

 hoff in his new capacity as Chairman of the Aeronautical and Space 

 Engineering Board of the National Academy of Engineering, and 

 officials of General Electric Co., McDonnell Douglas Corp., and the 



