diverse group who have developed their own regional partnerships. 

 We had the opportunity to hear what is working and what isn't in 

 Newport. 



Throughout the year, we will continue to hear from those in the 

 oceanographic community who have implemented innovative part- 

 nerships to more effectively utilize oceanographic resources. 



This spring, we will reconvene back here in Washington and ex- 

 amine what is really working out in the field. 



We are embarking on a bold and exciting new adventure, which, 

 in my opinion, will shape the debate about ocean research for at 

 least the next decade. 



Hopefully, historians will remember 1996 as the Year of the 

 Oceans in America, and eventually, the world, as we prepare for 

 the major Oceans International Exposition coming up in Lisbon, 

 Portugal in 1998. 



[The prepared statement of Chairman Weldon follows:] 



Statement of Chairman Curt Weldon 



January 25, 1996 



Joint Hearing on Leveraging Oceanographic Capabilities 



Military Research & Development Subcommittee 



House National Security Committee 



Fisheries, Wildlife, & Oceans Subcommittee 



House Resources Committee 



Energy and Environment Subcommittee 



House Science Committee 



This morning it gives me great pleasure to join my colleagues, Congressmen 

 Sgixton and Rohrabacher, to co-chair this landmark hearing which I believe will set 

 the agenda for oceanography throughout the next decade. Today, we have success- 

 fully brought together our nation's leading scientific experts from government, in- 

 dustry, and acaaemia in an effort to lay the groundwork for a renewal and resur- 

 gence of oceanography in Americaa. 



I am anxious to hear from our distinguished panelists, so I will keep my com- 

 ments short. However, I would like to make a few opening remarks before we begin. 



First. I would like to drav/ attention to the state of our world's oceans from an 

 international perspective before we look at the future of oceanography in the United 

 States. I recently returned from St. Petersburg, Russia where I participated in a 

 conference on the Protection of Russia's Northern and Arctic Environment. The con- 

 ference was hosted by the Advisory Committee on the Protection of the Sea 

 (ACOPS) for which I serve as the United States Vice President. 



While this particular conference focused on one specific area of concern, I had the 

 opportunity to discuss the overall health of our ocean environment with other legis- 

 lators from around the world, namely members of the Russian Duma, Japanese 

 Diet, and European Parliament. It is clear that there is an international commit- 

 ment to ensuring the health and ecological balance of our world's oceans. So it is 

 timelv that we gather here today to revive our nation's commitment to ocean re- 

 search and to discuss ways to more effectively focus our efforts. 



Not since the Presidential Stratton Commission on revitalization of oceanography, 

 over 25 years ago, has there been this degree of interest and attention to the impor- 

 tance of ocean research. As Chairman of the Research and Development Subcommit- 

 tee of the House National Security Committee, I am very concerned about what we 

 know about the oceans as a matter of national defense. On the other hand, through 

 my affiliation with ACOPS and my position as Chairman of the Oceans Task Force 

 of GLOBE USA (Global Legislators for a Balanced Environment), I am also con- 

 cerned with ocean research from an environmental standpoint. 



