1$ NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 



the national scientific program, continues to receive the coordinated 

 attention it deserves. In addition, it provides that the Congress 

 annually be apprised of the general status of oceanography, of the 

 planned financial support, and of the present and future plans and 

 policies in this field. 



The cost of oceanographic operations of this Department should not 

 be affected by this legislation, although some economy may result in 

 the national program. 



We recommend that page 5, lines 2 and 3, be amended to read 

 "hydrographic and coastal survey, and geophysical data, and those 

 aspects of marine meteorology directly related to oceanography." It 

 is felt that climatology and most meteorology do not pertain to ocean- 

 ography. 



We have been advised by the Bureau of the Budget that there would 

 be no objection to the submission of our report from the standpoint of 

 the administration's program. 

 Sincerely, 



Robert E. Giles. 



Department of the Navy, 

 Office of the Secretary, 

 Office of Legislative Affairs, 



Washington, D.C., July 29, 1965. 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 



My Dear Mr. Chairman: Your request for comment on H.R. 

 2218, a bUl to provide for a comprehensive, long-range, and coordi- 

 nated national program in oceanography, and for other purposes, 

 has been assigned to this Department by the Secretary of Defense 

 for the preparation of a report thereon expressing the views of the 

 Department of Defense. 



The proposed legislation, in assigning the responsibility for establish- 

 ing a coordinated national program in oceanography to the President, 

 is consistent with the objectives of the administration. Further, 

 it is consistent with the actions which have been taken during the 

 past few years by the executive branch to improve the state of our 

 marine sciences. Of major importance are the features of the bill 

 which provide a statutory foundation for executive responsibilities 

 as well as for an annual review of the field by the Congress. 



The objections previously transmitted by this Department on 

 predecessor bills have been effectively overcome in H.R. 2213. There- 

 fore, the Department of the Navy, on behalf of the Department of 

 Defense, supports and recommends enactment of H.R. 2218. 



This report has been coordinated within the Department of De- 

 fense in accordance with procedures prescribed by the Secretary of 

 Defense. 



The Bureau of the Budget advises that, from the standpoint of the 

 administration's program, there is no objection to the presentation 

 of this report for the consideration of the committee. 

 Sincerely yours, 



M. K. Disney, 

 Captain, U.S. Navy, 

 Director, Legislative Division 

 (For the Secretary of the Navy). 



