39 



puts up a barrier and confines us to 200 meters off the c(nist of the 

 United States. 



Already on the west coast the Department of Interior has granted 

 three lease provisions at a depth of 6,500 feet ofP our west coast. Our 

 industry is now in a position of being ready to move and we don't 

 want any hgal barriers thrown up when the present law permits us 

 to go out beyond and begin to regain some resources of the S3a. 



I think we have not yet visualized the tremeadous impact that is 

 going to be felt in the Nation and in the world, particularly by our 

 Nation, when we can go down in a very few years and actually occupy 

 the bottom of the sea, be able to live there, be able to exploit the 

 resources of the sea and seabed. 



Already, as you know, the Navy has coriducted tests where they 

 have stayed \mder water for 30 days. This is just the beginning and 

 we have not yet visualized what is going to come. It is not going to 

 be long before we will have restaurants and hotels right off our coasts 

 where people go for tiieir vacations where they can watch the fish and 

 the sea life. The mineral possibilities are there. The oil is also important. 

 Fifteen percent of our supply already is coming from right oft" our 

 shores. 



This is going to increase. So there are many ramifications. To 

 allow legal blocks to be put up now, I think, would be the most 

 serious position this Nation could get itself into. This is the one 

 great area where we are now ready to go in and do something that 

 is going to benefit the American people and, in effect, benefit the world. 



Why, I would rather see the United Nations go and take over the 

 moon. I have not seen anybody suggest that. Why don't we put in 

 a substitute motion at the United Nations saying "Let them have 

 the resources of the moon." But let's not get into this business of 

 getting dow^n to the bottom of the sea and letting them have that. 



Mr. Gross. The moon would be a good place for it — the United 

 Nations, I mean. 



Mr. Rogers. So in conclusion let me say I hope that the committee 

 will go into this very thoroughly. I am very hopeful that the committee 

 \\ill see fit to pass out a strong resolution instructing or advdsing our 

 delegation to take a strong position against allowing the United Na- 

 tions to take over the sea bottoms of the world. I think it would be a 

 great error. 



You are very kind to allow me this time. 



Mr. Fascell. I want to thank my colleague for being so expressive 

 on this subject in which he has had a great interest ever since he has 

 been in the Congress, and has exhibited a great deal of leadership. 

 There will be sufficient congressional review. Your own subcommittee 

 is holding hearings on this subject from the technical and other 

 aspects of oceanography. In this subcommittee we expect to make 

 just as judicious and thorough a study of the subject. 



The State Department is prepared to lay on the record what the 

 position of the Gov^ernment is at this time with respect to the Malta 

 proposal. We will continue to exercise oversight on the matter because 

 this is a matter of continuing interest. 



Developments move fast and we will expect, from the foreign policy 

 implications of it, to join with you in keeping careful watch over the 

 entire area of the problem. 



