16 OCEANOGRAPHY 



research must be fonducted to establish the whys and wherefores of these po- 

 tentialities in order that we may exploit them. 



The rei>ort of the National Academy of Sciences has focused national atten- 

 tion on the needs of oceanography. The Interagency Committee has demon- 

 strated its effectiveness in a short time as a coordinating mechanism to meet 

 these needs. In response to the tasks facing it, the Committee has established 

 working panels for specific purposes. The function of one panel is to plan and 

 coordinate our ocean survey program. A second panel has the responsibility 

 for working out the detsnls for establishing and the policies for operation of a 

 national data center. Other panels are being considered. 



Our next major task is to develop the budget for fiscal year 1962. Each 

 agency's program and the national program as a whole will be reviewed critically 

 by the Committee for balance and technical validity. The final result must be 

 adequate to meet our most immediate needs, using the resources available, while 

 emphasis must be placed on providing the tools we need on a long-term basis. 

 We expect to seek endorsement of this program and budget from the Federal 

 Council for Science and Technology and approval from the President before pre- 

 senting it to Congress as a complete national program in oceanography. 



Finally, I come to the contributions which the Congress and the members of 

 this committee have made to oceanography. The several bills now being con- 

 sidered by you have already produced a salutary efi'ect by attracting widespread 

 interest in oceanography both inside and outside the Government. I believe this 

 committee has received the specific comments of the Department of Defense and 

 the other Federal agencies concerned with these bills. If not, I can provide you 

 with copies of the Navy statements for the record. I intend to discuss the broad 

 aspects of the bills now rather than the particulars. 



H.R. 9361 is a bill of sweeping proportions to establish a comprehensive 10-year 

 program of oceanographic research and surveys. It is patterned after the rec- 

 ommendations of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Oceanography 

 with which, I believe, we all find ourselves in general accord. It would appear, 

 however, that much, if not practically all, of the authority contained in this bill 

 is already provided for in the basic legislation of the various Federal agencies. 

 Therefore, without detracting from the good intent of the Congress in this 

 matter, enactment of H.R. 9361 is not considered necessary to achieve the na- 

 tional objectives. Section 15 of the bill would authorize funds for the oceanog- 

 raphy program in addition to other appropriations provided for the various 

 departments, bureaus, and ofl3ees to carry out their duties under law. Such 

 a provision could have a very significant and beneficial effect on the programs 

 of those agencies whose funds listed in the bill are large percentages of their 

 entire departmental budgets. 



H.R. 10412 is a bill to establish a public policy with respect to oceanographic 

 surveys and to provide for coordination of the Federal agencies in these surveys 

 and in oceanography generally by the establishment of a coordinating committee 

 on oceanographic surveys. This proposes exactly what the Interagency Com- 

 mittee on Oceanography has been established to do. The secretaries of the 

 departments and heads of the agencies represented on the Interagency Com- 

 mittee of the Federal Council have each indicated to me that they consider this 

 ronunittee an effective means for achieving coordination and cooperation in our 

 national oceanography program. I believe that this organization, assisted by 

 working groups or panels comprised of representatives of the interested Federal 

 agencies, will be responsive to the needs of this country. The establishment of 

 a second committee as provided by this bill is not considered necessary. 



H.R. 1201S proposes that the Secretary of Commerce establish a National 

 Oceanographic Data Center and a National Instrumentation Test and Calibra- 

 tion Center within the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. I think we all agree 

 that such centers are needed. The Interagency Committee on Oceanography has 

 recommenrled. and the Federal Council for Science and Technology has en- 

 dorsed, that the National Oceanogr;iphic Data Center be established at the U.S. 

 Navy Hydrographic Office. It is strongly urged that the Secretary of the Navy 

 be authorized to establish these centers at the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office 

 and that funds be made available for them as a part of the national oceano- 

 graphic program. I might add that the National Academy of Sciences Com- 

 mittee on Oceanography heartily endorses and encourages the establishment of 

 the data center at the U.S. Navy Hydrographic Office. 



Every branch of science is of importance to the Nation in some degree; it is 

 difficult therefore to plan or determine priority in the usual sense of the term. 



