LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



April 25, 1969. 

 Hon. George P. Miller, 



Chairman, Committee on Science and Astronautics, 

 House oj Representatives, 

 Washington, D.C 



Dear Mr. Chairman: Pursuant to the identification in 1965 of the 

 area of technology assessment as a major activity of the subcommittee, 

 work has been proceeding steadily along two lines. One of these has 

 been investigations and inquiry by the committee itself; second, has 

 been the instigation of a number of special studies dealing with differ- 

 ent phases of technology assessment by outside groups. 



This report by the Science Policy Research Division of the Library 

 of Congress represents the completion of the first of the outside studies. 

 It was inaugurated by the subcommittee late in 1967. Substantive 

 work began several months later following the formulation of specific 

 objectives and study parameters. 



In our view, the report represents a major eft'ort to delineate the 

 kinds of scientific and technological problems which Congress is in- 

 creasingly being called upon to face. It also illustrates in specific terms 

 just how these problems have been approached and handled by the 

 Congress during the peak technological era in American history — that 

 is, the period from the close of World War II up to the present time. 



This study should be of use to every member of the Congress. For 

 our committee, it should serve an indispensable purpose in helping us 

 determine what precise mechanism for technology assessment now 

 needs to be established. We believe the effect of the report wiU be a 

 lasting one, both as a reference work of great intrinsic merit and 

 as a guide to the science policies of tomorrow. 

 Sincerely yours, 



Emilio Q. Daddario, 

 Chairman, Subcommittee on Science, Research and Development. 



(m) 



