NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 61 



judgments on organizational matters until the results of these studies, 

 plus the results of any inquiries that may stem from congressional 

 action, are available. 



The net effect of the considerations noted above is to leave me 

 strongly opposed to the national council approach to the organization 

 of the Federal Government's activities in oceanography as outlined 

 in this bill. At this time, it seems to me that concentration upon 

 means of making the essential elements of the existing system more 

 effective is the wiser course. This would be done under H.R. 2218, 

 and it is for this reason that my favorable comment on that bill was 

 sent to you on February 17, 1965. 

 Sincerely yours, 



Donald F. Hornig, Director. 



Smithsonian Institution, 

 Washington, D.C., July 28, 1965. 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House of Representatives, Washington, D.C., 



Dear Mr. Bonner: Thank you for your letter of March 22, 1965, 

 requesting the views of the Smithsonian Institution on H.R. 6457, a 

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

 national program in oceanography, and for other purposes. 



This legislation, designated as the "National Oceanographic Act 

 of 1965," is essentially similar to H.R. 5654, of which the Smithso- 

 nian's views were requested by your committee on March 4, 1965. 

 H.R. 6457 would (1) set forth the objectives of the oceanographic 

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

 Oceanographic Council composed of representatives of Federal de- 

 partments and agencies engaged in oceanographic and marine science 

 activities; (3) provide that the Council shall serve as the advisory body 

 to the President on the performance of designated functions in the 

 fields of oceanography and marine sciences; (4) authorize the Council 

 to employ the necessary staff; (5) authorize the Council, under the 

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

 international cooperation in these fields; (6) provide for the issuance 

 of an annual oceanographic report by the President, containing such 

 recommendations for legislation as the President may deem necessary; 

 (7) set forth certain security provisions relating to the Council's em- 

 ployees and activities; (8) provide that information developed by the 

 Council pursuant to provisions of H.R. 6457 would be available to 

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

 for security pm'poses: and (9) authorize appropriations not to exceed 

 $800,000 to carry out the purposes of this bill. 



It is noted that a representative of the Smithsonian Institution is to 

 be included in the membership of the 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. 



