15 



Senator Kerry. Let me ask you this question. Before we get to 

 the point of decision here, is it your intention to come and visit 

 with us and make some recommendations to us, or are you simply 

 leaving this in our hands? 



Dr. Baker. No, sir. We have, in fact, provided your staff with our 

 strategic plan, and we are having discussions now about that proc- 

 ess. 



Senator Kerry. But we do not have numbers yet, as I under- 

 stand it? 



Dr. Baker. Not yet, no. 



Senator Kerry. So, we really cannot proceed until we get a sense 

 of that. Now, is it your sense, I mean have you had discussions 

 with the Budget Director Panetta or anyone about trying to change 

 the current cap mark? 



Dr. Baker. It is my understanding that the two NOAA items, the 

 Weather Service modernization and the FCCSET climate and glob- 

 al change are high priority for the Office of Management and Budg- 

 et, and they are trying to see if they find a way to fit these in the 

 caps. 



I do not know how far they have gone but, in fact, they have 

 identified some items that they consider to be of high priority, and 

 both of our items are in that high-priority list. 



Senator Kerry. When you say both — I am looking at about six 

 or seven different items here. 



Dr. Baker. Well, the one called Weather Service modernization, 

 which includes MARDI, the Weather Service systems, the construc- 

 tion, satellites. 



Senator Kerry. And training? 



Dr. Baker. Correct. 



Senator Kerry. So, it is not broken down the way I have it. 



Dr. Baker. That is right. We have it broken down into two 

 parts — $217 million for Weather Service modernization, and I 

 think it was $25.6 million for climate and global change and high 

 performance computing and communications. 



Senator Kerry. OK, fair enough. Is it your sense that they are 

 going to try to embrace that in its entirety? 



Dr. Baker. It is my sense that they understand the urgency and 

 importance of the issue. 



Senator Kerry. Do I have to interpret that? [Laughter.] 



Dr. Baker. I am hoping they understand it to the point that they 

 will find the money for us. We have been working hard to try to 

 make that point with them. 



Senator Kerry. Can I ask you if, in conjunction with that, as we 

 look at an investment package, would it not make sense to also 

 make the case with them with respect to the fleet modernization? 



Dr. Baker. Well, they, I believe, are committed to supporting 

 fleet modernization. I have discussed this with Alice Rivlin who, I 

 believe, is very supportive. We, ourselves, are very supportive of 

 fleet modernization. We see some very good opportunities in con- 

 version of some of the DOD Navy ships which may be available. 

 We are committed to this, and we think we can make some real 

 progress on it. 



Senator Kerry. Well, I have heard that before. I am not dump- 

 ing responsibility for that one on you, but I have heard it before. 



