199 



THE VICE PRESIDENT 



WAS H INGTON 



December 6, 1995 



The Honorable Curt Weldon 



Chairman 



Subcommittee on Military Research 



2452 Rayburn House Office Building 



Washington, D.C. 20515 



Dear Mr. Chairmetfi: 



As you know, the topics on which the Committee will focus 

 during this series of hearings have been of interest to me for 

 some time, and I am pleased to have this opportunity to share my 

 perspective. As President Lyndon Baines Johnson said during his 

 tenure, "The waters which flow between the banks belong to all 

 the people." While the President was speaking about a domestic 

 issue at the time, his message resonates today. 



Oceans cover 71 percent of the Earth's surface, and we face 

 a common threat to this precious resource. In this time of lean 

 budgets, creative efforts to exploit existing research and 

 technology efforts for dual purposes are not only sensible but 

 essential . The United States has tremendous resources which only 

 have to be harnessed, and the Committee's hearings represent a 

 significant step in that direction. 



As we approach the 21st Century, I welcome efforts to ensure 

 that our country is well prepared to act on the basis of the very 

 best data. I particularly want to thank you for your efforts in 

 this regard. Your ideas and insight on these issues are 

 important to me, and your continued support is essential. 



Again, please accept my very best wishes for a productive 

 series of hearings. 



Sincerely, 



Al Gore 



AG/jec 



