164 SEA GRAXT COLLEGES 



Of course, other progressive States boast of such fine institutions as 

 the University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, 

 the University of Minnesota's Institute of Teclmology, of course, with 

 which Dean Athelstan Spilhaus is associated. 



We must do more to raise the level and numbers of oceanographic 

 students and educators in every State if this Nation is to win the wet 

 space race. And the ranks of America's qualified oceanographers must 

 grow more rapidly than the present 10 percent per year. 



Now, it is interesting to note that Russia has already reached the 

 level of producing 15 percent of oceanographers every year which al- 

 ready surpasses us in the number of qualified people they are turning 

 out and they are increasing this rate. So all in all I think it is evi- 

 dent, if one will look at what is being done all over the world in the 

 development of the seas, that we must begin to have more vision in 

 this Nation as to what can and should be done to develop the 70 per- 

 cent of the earth's surface represented by the seas. 



Therefore, I would urge that S. 2439 be approved by this distin- 

 guished subcommittee, its parent committee, and both Houses of Con- 

 gress as well, and I commend the chairman and the subcommittee 

 for devoting the time and effort necessary to bring this legislation to 

 the attention of the Congress. 



I thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



Senator Pell. Thank you very much. Congressman Rogers, and 

 I miderstand that you like this idea equally and are helping shepherd 

 the same concept through in the House. 



Mr. Rogers. We hope to do this. 



Senator Pell. That would be wonderful. I realize it is still pre- 

 mature but do you have any views as to where the administration of 

 this i^rogram should rest 'i I know we on our side have no fixed views. 

 We look forward to listening to the witnesses and making up our 

 ininds in the executive committee session. 



Mr. Rogers. I have no strong views about who should administer 

 it as yet. Senator. I would agree with you. I don't see anything 

 wrong with the way the bill is drawn to let the National Science Foun- 

 dation begin the program. As you know, we have other legislation 

 that is now moving along rapidly to have a commission study the 

 entire program of efforts of the United States and its development of 

 the seas. If the legislation is passed and approved, as we hope it will 

 be, this would require a study of 18 months. 



Now, at the end of that time I would hope that they, might make 

 suggestions as to organization of how the Government should carry 

 on its entire program of oceanography, and this could then be con- 

 sidered. In the meajtitime I think the National Science Foundation 

 would be an appropriate body. 



Senator Pell. The legislation that you are considering, to my mind, 

 is excellent because it calls for a self-liquidating council which does 

 not create one more Government organization, and that is a wonderful 

 idea,. 



Mr. Rogers. That is right. 



Senator Pell. It is an excellent thought. One of the ideas going 

 through my mind is that the Smithsonian Institution, which has a 

 certain tradition of nurturing and spinning off Government groups, 

 organizations, actually, might be suitable to handle it on a temporary 



