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Statement of Representative Thomas M. Pelly, a Representative in 

 Congress From the State of Washington 



Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to state my views on the proposed Malta Resolu- 

 tion to your committee. 



I consider this a matter of grave concern, Mr. Chairman, for to even consider 

 giving up sovereignty of the ocean floor would be ill-advised. 



I completel}" disagree with the Malta Iicsolution's position that, "The sea-bed 

 and the ocean floor, underlying the seas beyond the limits of present national 

 jurisdiction, are not subject to national appropriytion in any manner whatsoever." 

 Mr. Chairman, under Article I of the 1958 Geneva Convention, sovereignty 

 already has been given to coastal nations over natural resources adjacent to each 

 state. The Geneva Convention concluded, and it was ratified by members of 

 the United Nations, that sovereignty extends to a depth of 200 meters off a 

 coastline, and also beyond that limit to whore the depth of deeper water admits 

 the exploitation of natural resources. Mr. Chairman, we already have sovereignty 

 over submarine areas adjacent to our coast. 



I have been assured xhat there are no secret agreements to transfer control 

 over all sea-bed, ocean resources to the United Nations; however, I strongly 

 take the position that international conventions already have granted ownership 

 of the vast mineral riches under the sea to coastal states, including the United 

 States. I believe any attempt to give these rights away should be halted. 



Therefore, I strongly urge, Mr. Chairman, that the Committee on Foreign 

 Affairs report favorably a Resolution such as House Joint Resolution 828, which 

 I introduced, to express Congressional opposition to vesting title to the ocean 

 floor in the United Nations. 



Thank you for this opportunity to present my views on this important matter. 



Statement by Hon. Don Fuqua, a Represent.\tive in Congress From the 

 State of Florida, in Support of H.J. Res. 837 



Mr. Chairman, being given the opportunity to express my opposition to vesting 

 title to the ocean floor in the United Nations is very much appreciated. I have 

 presented a resolution, H.J. Res. 837, which would express the sense of the 

 Congress that the seas not be placed luider the jurisdiction of the United Nations 

 as has been suggested by the tiny island of Malta. 



The vast wealth of the seas cannot be estimated by twentieth century tech- 

 nology. Yet, we know that the potential is vast. 



The United States has lately given more attention to the exploration of the 

 seas, for it has been said that we know more about outer space than we do about 

 the seas of our own planet. 



Should we agree to the proposal under consideration, we would be throwing 

 away the vast sums of money we have invested and will invest to harvest the 

 bounty of the seas. It would be an outright take over by an unstable organization 

 of most of the resources of this earth. 



I certainly advocate peaceful exploration of the oceans and for international 

 cooperation, but I see nothing to be gained by giving away all rights to ownership 

 to the United Nations. 

 _ The day will come when we will need additional international rules and regula- 

 tions. I understand and support that concept. 



What I oppose is giving away ownership to the United Nations. We would 

 thus be giving up rights and privileges of American citizens now and in the future. 



It is my privilege to represent the congressional district of Florida in which is 

 located the Florida State University at Tallahassee. This is an institution which 

 has taken the lead in oceanography research. Florida, with its great coastline, has 

 a vital interest in a proposal such as this, and I submit that the resources of the 

 seas are priceless. At one time, it was believed that Alaska was a worthless area 

 of land. It was thought by many that the Louisiana purchase w^as sheer folly. 



Giving away our rights to the ocean floors would be foolish ap.d shortsighted 

 for this Nation. 



Statement of Hon. George V. Hansen, a Representative in Congress 

 From the State of Idaho 



Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I appreciate the opportunity 

 of presenting this statement in support of H.J. Res. 816 and similar and identical 

 measures opposing the so-called Malta Proposal to turn over to the United Nations 



