8 



Mr. Lennon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your words of welcome. 

 I think some of you gentlemen know that there are 23 legislative com- 

 mittees in the U.S. House of Kepresentatives. Each of those major 

 legislative committees has an average of six to eight subcommittees. 

 Some of us serve on as many as eight or nine subcommittees. 



They meet at the same time. For that reason this morning rather 

 than following, which I intended to do, the remarks by the distin- 

 guished chairman of the full committee, it will be my pleasure at 

 this time to introduce those members of the Subcommittee on Oceanog- 

 raph}', who are present. 



At least five members of the subcommittee have contacted mc this 

 morning to express their regrets that they could not be here to extend 

 a welcome. 



So, as I call the names of those members of the subcommittee who 

 are here, I would appreciate if you would stand and you gentlemen 

 can withhold your applause until all have been introduced. 



The Honorable Paul Eogers of Florida. The Honorable Thomas 

 Downing of Virginia. The Honorable Joseph Karth of Minnesota. 

 The Honorable William L. St. Onge of Connecticut, and I believe that 

 is the extent on the right side of the aisle. 



I will withhold the introduction of a subsequent speaker. The Hon- 

 orable Thomas M. Pelly of Washington. The Honorable Hastings 

 Keith of Massachusetts. The Honorable Henry Sohadeberg of Wis- 

 consin. The Honorable John Dellenback of Oregon. The Honorable 

 George Goodling of Pennsylvania. The Honorable Louis Frey of the 

 State of Florida. 



Thank you, gentlemen. 



(Applause.) 



Mr. Lennon". Now, at this time, I would like to add my own words 

 •of welcome to those that have already been expressed. The opportunity 

 for us to meet and exchange ideas with people from as many different 

 States as we have here is indeed a rare and unique privilege. I might 

 say to you gentlemen, that this is an innovation for a conference to 

 'be sponsored by a legislative committee or a legislative subcommittee. 



It is usually done at the executive level of our Govermnent, but we 

 simply cannot wait. I am enthusiastic that the ideas developed here 

 will be of great assistance to us in our efforts to create meaningful 

 programs for the coastal zones. I am certain that all of you share 

 with me and my colleagues a sense of your general situation in dealing 

 with the problems of our coastal waters. The reason for urgency was 

 properly identified by the Marine Science Commission report, which 

 I hope most of you have read, particularly that relating to the coastal 

 zone recommendations, which stated as follows : 



Today, man's damage to the environment too often is ignored because of im- 

 mediate economic advantage. To maximize the present economy at the expense 

 of the future is to perpetuate the pattern of previous generations, whose sins 

 against the planet we have inherited. 



If adequately protected, the sea and shoreline can provide unique and valuable 

 opportunities for recreation. The growth of the country's population, most pro- 

 nounced in urban areas along the shoreline, and the increased wealth and 

 leisure of many of our people, are creating inexorable pressures for access to 

 the sea. Contamination or destruction of beach, marsh, waterway, and shoreline 

 aggravates these pressures by denying use of the sea and shore to a growing 

 population. 



