NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 155 



But my limited knowledge, I feel, is shared by tlie great propor- 

 tion of our population. Our late President, John F. Kennedy, once 

 answered a question on why this country is taking the lead in exploring 

 outer space. The President said, "Because it is there and we know 

 very little about it." 



President Johnson stated in a letter to the Honorable Speaker of the 

 House recently, "We are looking forward to a period where our invest- 

 ment in ocean research may bear fruit in terms of strengthening our 

 national defense." 



I believe the establishment of a National Oceanographic Council 

 with the authority of full-time direction and subsequent funding is 

 necessary as it will be a forerminer to even larger operations in 

 oceanography, which I again believe, is inevitable. 



In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I would like to stress one ^^ery impor- 

 tant factor. In the past and at the present, a great deal of criticism 

 has been leveled at the Federal Government for interfering in the 

 private sector of our economy. 



Some of this criticism has been warranted and some of it has not 

 been warranted. 



I know of no greater opportunity for the Federal Government to 

 assist the private sector of the economy and to open the horizon for a 

 commercial and industrial exploration of our oceans than with the 

 passage of this legislation. 



The Government with its vast resources and experience must avail 

 itself again to bolster the concept of tlie free enterprise system by tak- 

 ing the initiative to create a directing body for marine research and 

 development. 



It is the duty of the Congress and the Executive to lay the ground- 

 work for the exploration of an unknown field of endeavor. As we 

 have learned in the past and as it will probably always be in the future, 

 private industry will be encouraged to begin programs of their own or 

 to increase existing activity in this very important field. 



I would like to thank you, Mr. Chairman and members of your 

 committee, for listening to my testimony and hope that it might con- 

 tribute in some small way to a decision that you might make later on 

 and I am sure all of those who are being heard appreciate your very 

 fine cour'tesy. 



Mr. Lennon. Congressman Huot, I want to highly commend you 

 for a very splendid statement in support, of your bill, H.R. 7798. 



Would you be available tomorrow morning at 10 in order that some 

 of us may ask you a few questions along with the other members ? 



Mr. Huot. I would be delighted to, Mr. Chairman. 



Mr. Leistnon. Thank you very much. 



The committee will stand adjourned until tomorrow morning at 

 10 o'clock, at which time the hearings will be resumed in this particu- 

 lar room, unless you are otherwise notified. 



If we get another room we will let you hear from us. 



Thank jou very much. 



(Whereupon, at 12:15 p.m., the hearing was recessed to reconvene 

 at 10 a.m., Wednesday, August 4, 1965.) 



