PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAM IN OCEANOGRAPHY 5 



An advisory committee is a most important part of any national 

 program. Beyond the Government departments today there is a vast 

 potential for guidance of a truly effective national program. Magnifi- 

 cent talent is available in our fine not-for-profit specialized, scientific 

 institutions, our universities and colleges, our State activities, and in 

 our developing commercial and industrial laboratories, who can and 

 will offer valuable suggestions to lead the way to an overall program 

 which will work in behalf of the national interest. The Advisory 

 Committee should include as broad representation as possible from 

 such sources. 



No term of office is prescribed and no qualifications are set forth 

 with regard to the membership of the Advisory Committee. Your 

 committee believes that this is best left to the exercise of discretion in 

 the executive branch by the Director of the Offi,ce of Science and 

 Technology. 



Section 6 requires the Director of the Office of vScience and Tech- 

 nology to make a report on oceanography annually, during the month 

 of January, to the President and the Congress. The Director's report 

 would contain the foUowmg: 



(1) The general status of oceanography. 



(2) The status of research, development, studies, and surveys 

 conducted (directly or indirectly) by the United States in further- 

 ance of oceanography, together with application of such research, 

 development, studies, and surveys. 



(3) A detailed analysis of the amounts proposed for appropria- 

 tion by Congress for the ensuing fiscal year for each of the Depart- 

 ments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government to 

 carry out the purposes of this act. 



(4) Current and future plans and policies of the United States 

 with respect to oceanography. 



(5) Requests for such legislation as may be necessary to carry 

 out as rapidly as possible the purposes of this act. 



The report of the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 

 is of great importance. This is the m^eans for communication with 

 the Congress. This is the means for assuring concise and clear 

 statements of objectives and accomplishments on a contmuing basis. 

 This is the means by which the Congress can be advised of and 

 knowledgeably participate m new programs. 



Section 7 defines the term "oceanography" in a broad sense as 

 including — 



the acquisition, assemblmg, processing, and dissemmation of 

 all scientific and technological oceanographic and related 

 environmental data, including, but not limited to, phj^sical, 

 geological, biological, fisheries, hydrographic and coastal 

 survey, meteorological, climatological, and geophysical data. 



Finally, your committee recognizes the overlapping nature of many 

 of the disciplines that fall within the term "oceanography." How- 

 ever, nothing is so black or so white that it is possible to draw pre- 

 cisely the perimeters of "oceanography." It is not necessary that it 

 should be done. Primarily we are dealing with the vast oceanic 

 environment. Frmge problems can be met ajid handled as they arise. 

 The program urged by your committee should be defined in the 

 broadest possible terms. 



