SEA GRANT COLLEGES 229 



permit establishment and development of a limited number of centers of excel- 

 lence. It should also be open ended and permit new institutions which emerge 

 with fresh ideas, vigor, and reasonable promise of achievement to join those 

 centers. This program should be under constant review so that support can be 

 withdrawn when institutions lose their competence and so that funds can be 

 provided for the centers which will develop in the future but are not yet visible. 



Support should, however, be provided for sufficient period to allow stability. 

 I would recommend that at least 5-year commitments be entered into and 10 years 

 would be far stronger. In my opinion, this should not be dependent upon non- 

 Federal participation, although I feel that such participation adds greater 

 strength indeed. It should certainly be encouraged but its absence should not 

 preclude support to an appropriate institution. 



Thank you again for the opportunity to comment on this imaginative program. 

 I am deeply convinced that a carefully designed pattern of sea grants to colleges 

 can increase American achievement in utilization of the oceans. 



Senator Pell. It is my great pleasure to read into the record at 

 this time a letter from another colleague, Senator Hiram Fong, of 

 Hawaii, where he says : 



Dear Mr. Chairman : In response to my request for comment on S. 2439, the 

 proposed "National Sea Grant College and Program Act of 1965," President 

 Thomas H. Hamilton, of the University of Hawaii, sent me a statement in 

 support of the measure. 



I am very pleased that the University of Hawaii wholeheartedly endorses 

 the concept and objectives of the sea grant college proposal. 



The university's endorsement of S. 2439 buttresses the arguments advanced 

 in my statement filed separately with your subcommittee and urging speedy 

 and favorable action on the measure. 



I respectfully request that Dr. Hamilton's statement and this letter of trans- 

 mittal be made a part of the hearing record on S. 2439. 



With best regards and aloha, I am 

 Sincerely yours, 



Hiram L. J'ong. 

 (The statement of Dr. Hamilton follows:) 



Prepared Statement of Dr. Thomas H. Hamilton, President, University op 



Hawaii 



I. introduction 



Though man has always been interested in the sea, this interest has become 

 sharply intensified in more recent years. The sea is becoming increasingly 

 important as a source of food and minerals. Improved knowledge about it is 

 vital to national defense. As we expand our exploitation of the resources 

 found in the ocean, we encounter a myriad of legal problems requiring study 

 and research. And since 70 percent of the surface of the earth is water, the 

 magnitude and importance of the great variety of scientific and legal problems 

 to be solved is formidable indeed. 



The importance of the sea has long been recognized by the Federal Govern- 

 ment. Many of its agencies concern themselves with aspects of ocean environ- 

 ment. This is encouraging to scientists and others interestetl in these matters. 

 However, for those in universities which emphasize instruction and research 

 in oceanography and related disciplines, the scattering of governmental inter- 

 e.st among many agencies is often discouraging. The problems to be investi- 

 gated may cut across jurisdictional lines and, as a result, worthy research 

 may not find adequate support. 



Bill S. 2439 provides a much-needed focal point within the Federal Govern- 

 ment by designating the National Science Foundation as such. And, by pro- 

 viding for the naming of certain universities as sea grant universities, enables 

 them, in turn, to get the kind of Federal attention and support so necessary to 

 the rapid and successful development of essential training, etlucational and 

 research programs, and advisory services. 



