NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 2d 



question. I do not believe that H.R. 912 provides a satisfactory- 

 solution because it would centralize in a single agency many aspects 

 of oceanography which must be carried on by many parts of the 

 Federal Government if they are to discharge their statutory obliga- 

 tions. On the other hand, H.R. 2218 provides a policy and actions 

 which would strengthen oceanographic activities without centralizing 

 them. This I consider the preferable general approach, and I would 

 be glad to discuss these matters, as well as more recent developments, 

 in the Federal oceanographic programs, in greater detail at the 

 appropriate time. 



Thank you for the opportunity to comment on these measures. 

 Sincerely yours, 



Donald F. Hornig, Director. 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 Washington, D.C., March 19, 1965. 

 Hon. Herbert C Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Bonner: Thank y^ou for your letter of Januray 26, 1965, 

 requesting the views of the Smithsonian Institution on H.R. 2218, a 

 bill to provide for a comprehensive, long-range, and coordinated 

 national program in oceanography, and for other purposes. 



This legislation would (1) set forth as national policy the develop- 

 ment of a national oceanographic program ; (2) place the responsibility 

 for the development of the national program with the President; (3) 

 authorize the President to appoint an advisory committee on oceanog^ 

 raphy; and (4) require the President to make an annual oceanographic 

 report. 



The Smithsonian Institution favors enactment of this legislation. 

 We have a deep interest in the science of oceanography, are included 

 in the membership of the Interagency Committee on Oceanography ,^ 

 and welcome further participation in the biological and geological 

 portions of the sustained national oceanographic effort. From thi& 

 effort significant advances of knowledge will occur that will result in 

 economic benefits and the increased utilization of food and other 

 resources of the sea. 



That portion of H.R. 2218 providing for the utiHzation of advice 

 frorn non-Federal sources is significant. Such advice is essential to 

 the intelligent operation of a program as broad in scope as the national 

 oceanographic program. 



The Bureau of the Budget advises that there is no objection to the 

 presentation of this report from the standpoint of the administration's, 

 program. 



We appreciate this opportunity to indicate our support of H.R. 2218. 

 Sincerely yours, 



S. Dillon Ripley, Secretary. 



