national oceanographic program legislation 35 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 Washington, B.C., July 28, 1965. 

 Hon, Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House oj Representatives, Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Bonner: Thank you for your letter of March 4, 1965, 

 for the views of the Smithsonian Institution on H.K.. 5654, a bill to 

 provide for expanded research in the oceans and the Great Lakes, to 

 establish a National Oceanographic Council, and for other purposes. 



This legislation, designated as the National Oceanographic Act of 

 1965 and identical to S. 944 introduced by Senator Magnuson on 

 February 2, 1965, would (1) set forth the objectives of the oceano- 

 graphic and marine activities of the United States; (2) establish a 

 National Oceanographic Council on which the Vice President would 

 serve as Chairman and whose membership would include the heads of 

 Federal departments and agencies concerned with oceanography and 

 marine science activities; (3) set forth the mission of the Council as 

 the advisory body to the President concerning the performance of 

 specified functions in the fields of oceanography and marine sciences; 

 (4) authorize the Council to employ the necessary staff; (5) direct the 

 Council to present to Congress within 1 year from the date of enact- 

 ment of H.R. 5654 a comprehensive legislative program in furtherance 

 of oceanography and marine sciences ; (6) authorize the Council, under 

 the foreign policy guidance of the President, to engage in a program 

 of international cooperation in these fields ; (7) provide for the issuance 

 of an annual report by the President describing and evaluating the 

 activities of the United States in these fields and containing such legis- 

 lative recommendations as the President may deem necessary; (8) 

 prescribe certain security provisions relating to the Council's employees 

 and activities; (9) provide that information developed by the Chair- 

 man of the Council under this legislation will be made available to the 

 public, unless authorized or required by statute to be withheld for 

 security reasons; and (10) authorize appropriations not to exceed 

 $500,000 to carry out the purposes of the bill. 



It is noted that the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution is 

 included in the membership of the proposed National Oceanographic 

 Council. 



The Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution will be asked 

 to consider this legislation at its next meeting. I shall be pleased to 

 advise you of its views at that time. 

 Sincerely yours. 



Frank A. Taylor, 

 Acting Secretary. 



General Counsel of the Treasury, 



Wash'mgton, B.C., July 30, 1965. 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner. 



Chairiimn, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 Rouse of Representatives, Washington. B.C. 



Dear Mr. Chairman : This is in reply to your request for the views 

 of this Department on H.E. 5654, to establish a National Oceano- 

 graphic Council. 



The bill would establish a National Oceanographic Council in the 

 Executive Office of the President. The Council would be chaired by 



