NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 89 



fields and, thus, its recommendations might lead to serious imbalance 

 among scientific programs. 



In our previous letters we have reported our views to your committee 

 concerning H.R. 921 (March 11, 1965), H.R. 2218 (March 11, 1965) 

 and H.R. 5884 and 6009 (July 27, 1965). In those letters we stated 

 that significant steps have been taken in recent years to strengthen 

 overall coordination of oceanographic activities at the Presidential 

 level; that substantial progress is being made in developing and con- 

 ducting a sound oceanographic program under existing arrangements; 

 and that the executive branch has been seeking to improve the process 

 of reporting to the Congress on the status and future plans for this 

 field. We believe that the study currently in process by the Panel on 

 Oceanography will help to illuminate further opportunities and needs 

 in this field. 



In light of the factors cited above, the Bureau of the Budget recom- 

 mends against enactment of H.R. 9064. We favor, instead, enactment 

 of H.R. 2218 which would provide for the establishment of a com- 

 prehensive Federal oceanographic program. Under this program the 

 President and the Congress would be informed not once — but annu- 

 ally — of recommended plans and programs to meet the present and 

 future national needs in oceanography. 

 Sincerely yours, 



Phillip S. Hughes, 

 Assistant Director Jor Legislative Reference. 



General Counsel op the 

 Department of Commerce, 

 Washington, B.C., July 29, 1965. 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House oj Representatives, Washington, D. C. 



Dear Mr. Chairman: This letter is in further reply to your request 

 for the views of this Department with respect to H.R. 9064, a bUl 

 to establish a National Commission on Oceanography. H.R. 9064 

 would establish a temporary investigatory commission on ocean- 

 ography of 15 members appointed by the President, five from Govern- 

 ment, five from industry, and five from universities and laboratories. 

 The Commission would investigate and study all aspects of ocean- 

 ography and recommend a plan for a national oceanographic program. 

 It would submit an interim report within 1 year, a final report within 

 2 years, and would cease to exist 30 days after submission of its final 

 report. 



The existing Federal program in oceanography is continuously 

 evaluated and coordinated by the Interagency Committee on Ocean- 

 ography. The National Academy of Sciences Committee on Ocean- 

 ography is preparing a review and reevaluation of its 1960-70 pro- 

 gram for Federal oceanographic activity. The President's Science 

 Advisory Committee has been directed to review and recommend 

 improvements of the Federal program in oceanographv, and its Panel 

 on Oceanography recently held a meeting at Woods Hole, Mass., for 

 that purpose. Thus, Federal oceanographic activities are presently 

 under significant re^dew by qualified persons both within and outside 



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