19 



I could certainly imagine using to good advantage the level of 

 funding that is appropriated for NASA, turn it inward. We could 

 not do it overnight, but NASA didn't grow up overnight either. 



Mr. Ortiz. Thank you. Anybody else? Go ahead. Dr. Bright. 



Dr. Bright. I think there are around the country holes in the 

 services that NURP supplies. For example, our region, the Gulf of 

 Mexico, is served by the North Carolina program. And whereas 

 that program has, indeed, supplied a great deal of support for our 

 undersea research in the Gulf of Mexico, it hasn't been sufficient to 

 cover the needs by any means. And I think you will find California 

 may have a similar problem. 



If we are to cover these needs that the research community has, 

 it is going to require additional funds. For example, if we establish 

 new centers in the regions that have demonstrated needs for 

 NURP services, it is going to require additional funds. And insofar 

 as the current funding level, it is barely adequate. It just follows 

 that any expansion of the program will require a larger budget. 



Mr. Ortiz. Thank you. Now, what can we do as a committee to 

 facilitate the development of a national strategic and commitment 

 to deep submergence research? Maybe you can add as to what this 

 committee can do and how we can help as well? Who would like to 

 follow with those two questions? 



Dr. Fox. That is a very good question, and I think it is a lot 

 easier to identify the need than it is to identify the solution within 

 the fabric of the American political system, if you will, and I don't 

 have the answer to that question. I think it is an answer though 

 that has got to come from a mix of perspectives that involves scien- 

 tists within academia, within those Federal agencies that have 

 strong commitments already to understanding our innerspace, as 

 well as representatives from industry. Out of that, I think we first 

 have to identify the compelling reasons why we have to do what we 

 wish to do — identify the strong and robust rationale and then con- 

 struct a plan that works within the existing Federal agencies and 

 within the political system. 



Now, I don't think it is something, as much as I would like, that 

 can, for example, come from this subcommittee in one legislative 

 session. I think you can do an awful lot to shore up and maintain 

 the health of, for example, the NURP Program in the short-term 

 and give the community an opportunity to harness its arguments 

 and its capabilities to construct the rationale which would then be 

 found compelling here in the halls of power in Washington. I don't 

 know if others at the table 



Mr. Ortiz. Anybody else? Dr. Earle? 



Dr. Earle. Just one additional comment, that the oceans — and 

 this program is one example — need champions — individuals who 

 will take the leadership, make that extra effort, work with the 

 people who care and who will just work their hearts out to make 

 something happen. But the doors could be opened by individuals 

 who can extend the invitation for people to provide the information 

 and develop a plan. The vision is there. I have heard it many times 

 in the scientific and technological community and elsewhere. I 

 think that this is the opportune time to move strongly forward, but 

 we need leaders. We need individuals who will be the champions. 



Mr. Ortiz. Thank you. Doctor, go right ahead. 



