SEA GRANT COLLEGES 283 



and that research should be directed toward similar basic and long-range scien- 

 tific goals. These objectives would not be satisfied if the program was limited 

 to practical and short-term projects. 



The purposes of the act are most laudable but it would be unfortunate if in 

 the haste to develop man's capability to occupy and exploit the oceans the aca- 

 demic educational and research aspects were inadequately supported. Either 

 these must receive recognition within the act itself or provision should be insured 

 through other means. 

 Sincerely yours, 



Richard H. Fleming, 

 Professor and Chairman. 



Commonwealth of Virginia, 

 Virginia Institute of Marine Science, 



Gloiwester Point, Va., May 9, 1966. 

 Hon. Claiborne Pell, 

 Senate of the United States, 

 Washington, D.C. 



Dear Senator Pell : This letter refers to the sea grant college and university 

 program as proposed in the bill sponsored by you and other farsighted patrons 

 and may be introduced into the oflScial hearing records. 



Though I intended to attend the hearings just now being conducted, institute 

 business has prevented me from doing so. This letter will convey my opinions 

 and convictions to you and the other members of the committee. My intention 

 to send such a letter was communicated to Mr. Green, of your office, by phone on 

 Thursday the 6th of May. 



Early in the debate concerning this program, I was in opposition. This op- 

 position, based on the strong conviction that additional marine research and 

 training institutions are not justified or even needed in the United States was 

 eliminated when it became apparent that neither Dr. Spilhaus nor you intended 

 for the program to be used as a vehicle for establishing new marine laboratories. 



As the concept of the sea grant college and university program has evolved in 

 recent months, it has become apparent to me that it will be a valuable addition to 

 the overall marine resource research and development activity of the United 

 States. Hence, I wish to express my strong support. It will benefit all marine 

 resource users (e.g., sport and commercial fishing industries, recreationalists, 

 shippers, mining interests and most others), all marine States, and be extremely 

 valuable to the entire United States and deserves the support of all of the States, 

 maritime or not. 



There is great need for increased activity in the various fields of oceanic 

 engineering and in other marine resource development and use areas. As I have 

 expresed several times during the sea grant college meetings, the Commonwealth 

 of Virginia has been especially active in developing its own program of applied, 

 as well as fundamental, marine science at the Virginia Institute of Marine 

 Science, one of the largest State-supported marine science programs in the East. 

 Though not called by that name, many of VIMS' activities can be considered to 

 be oceanic engineering. VIMS' biological, chemical, geological, and physical 

 oceanographers have contributed in solution of many marine resource engi- 

 neering problems for local, State, and Federal agencies and industry. 



Virginia, with her vast and valuable marine resources, marine industries, and 

 marine-oriented Federal activities, is a major maritime State and can benefit 

 greatly from the sea grant college and university program whether or not she 

 actively participates. If her strong program in marine research and training at 

 VIMS (affiliated with both the College of William and Mary and the University 

 of Virginia) can participate, Virginia and the Nation will benefit to an even 

 greater extent. 



I am opposed to the use of this program to develop new and connecting institu- 

 tions. The list: of institutions with proven capability and interest in marine- 

 oriented research and education is large. Most have administrative units, 

 research and teaching facilities, shore-based and floating facilities which can 

 be occupied or n.scd much more efficiently if adeqnnte, continuing funds are 

 available. Addition of new institutions at this stage seems unjustified :iiul, in 

 my view, will inrrense (-ompctition for limited funds, facilities, ;ind lu'rsoinu'l, 

 iiiid slow the (>vfM"i!l nuirine resource d<>velopni<'nt program considerably 



I caiuiot f)ff(>r significant help with the solution to the problem of which Federal 

 agency should administer the program at this time. I'erhaps the National 



