90 NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 



the Government, and we do not see any need for legislation establish- 

 ing an investigatory commission at this time. 



However, we recognize that it may become desirable in the futm-e 

 to have an intensive general review of national oceanographic activity 

 conducted by a commission of highly qualified persons. If your com- 

 mittee now desires to recommend legislation directed toward possible 

 future review of oceanography, we suggest that it include the following 

 amendments in its recommendation. 



In order to allow such a commission to take advantage of the studies 

 and reviews presently underway, we believe that the bills should be 

 amended to give the President discretionary authority to establish the 

 Commission. Thus, if it does become desirable to have such a com- 

 mission, the President could select the best time for its establishment. 

 We also feel that the constitution of the Commission is not sufficiently 

 flexible and recommend amendment of the bUl to remove its formula 

 for apportionment of Commission membership. The amendment 

 should authorize the President to appoint to the Commission no more 

 than 15 qualified persons from Government and from the public at 

 large and to name its chairman. Finally, section 8(b) of H.R. 9064 

 would direct Federal agencies to supply information directly to the 

 Commission. We think that provision should be amended to restate 

 the President's existing authority to direct Federal agencies to fm*nish 

 information to the Commission. 



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, 



Burt W. Roper, 

 Acting General Counsel. 



Department or Health, Education, and Welfare, 



Washington, D.O., August 2, 1966. 

 Hon. Herbert C. Bonner, 



Chairman^ Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 

 House of Representatives, Washington B.C. 



Dear Mr. Chairman : This letter is in response to your request of 

 June 21, 1965, for a report on H.R. 9064, a bill to establish a National 

 Commission on Oceanography. 



This bill would establish a 15-member National Commission on 

 Oceanography, appointed by the President from among competent 

 persons : 5 from Government, 5 from industry, and 5 from universities 

 or laboratories engaged in oceanographic pursuits. By election of 

 the Commission, one member would be Chairman and one Vice Chair- 

 man. 



The Commission would be directed to make a comprehensive investi- 

 gation of and study all aspects of oceanography in order to recommend 

 an ovei^ll plan for an adequate national program to meet present and 

 future national needs, such investigation and study to include, but 

 not be limited to, a review of known and contemplated needs for 

 national resources from the oceans; a review of the activities required 

 to obtain needed ocean resources; a review of present research pro- 

 grams to insure realistic and adequate support for basic oceanography 

 re earch; a review of present Government and industrial programs, 



