NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 269 



iiology, yet at an echelon which realistically presumes undeT-standin^ 

 of, and availability to, this important scientific field. T believe that 

 this compatibility of authority, know-how, and accessibility is the 

 crucial key to success of the Federal oi-ganization for oceanography. 



In addition to the provisions of other bills introduced, this bill 

 directs the Council to coordinate the efforts of the Government to 

 combat natural and manmade phenomena adversely affectino; the pub- 

 lic welfare, includinf^ sea storms, floods, seismic activity, oft'shore pol- 

 lution, and radioactive waste disposal. 



Another important addition to the bill I have presented is the pro- 

 vision for including- the largest group of inland waters in the world, 

 and one of this Nation's greatest natural resources, the Great Lakes, 

 into this proposed program. Mr. Chairman, the Great Lakes area 

 encompasses the heartland of the United States, and the center of its 

 industrial wealth — 20 percent of U.S. population and 27% percent of 

 our Nation's main wealth. In any comparison of world commerce, 

 these lakes support more commercial traffic, acre for acre, than any 

 body of water in the world. And these vast waterways are subject 

 to the same laws of nature, the same consideration for scientific de- 

 velopment and the same concern for our national security that we give 

 for the deeper and wider oceans that surround our Nation. 



Viewing the enormous problems we confront in exploiting the vast 

 potential that these resources — our oceans and inland seas — it is im- 

 possible to ignore the inevitability that the Federal Government must 

 take the reins of leadership in developing a strong national program 

 of oceanogi*aphy and all its related sciences. 



The oceans represent a resource just imfolding, and a potential 

 cure for many of the world's most severe dilemmas. We would be 

 negligent in our responsibilities if we continued to allow a sincere, 

 dedicated, and willing — but haphazard confederation of interests — 

 to manage the program without the authority, resources, and harmony 

 that only this great Congress can provide. 



Mr. Lennon. Thank you, Congressman, for an excellent statement. 



If there are no questions, I would next like to call on our good friend 

 from the State of Texas, Congressman Olin Teague. 



STATEMENT OF HON. OLIN E. TEAGUE, A EEPEESENTATIVE IN 

 CONGEESS FEOM THE STATE OF TEXAS 



Mr. Teaoue. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity of ap- 

 pearing before your subcommittee today in behalf of my bill, U.K. 

 7849 ; a bill to provide for economic development of the Continental 

 Shelf and for expanded research in the oceans and the Great Lakes, 

 to establish a National Oceanographic Council. 



This bill addresses itself to the need for a comprehensive national 

 oceanographic program. It includes needs for expanded research in 

 the oceans and the Great Lakes, for economic development of the Con- 

 tinental Shelf as a newly recognized area of sovereignty, for the de- 

 velopment of ocean resources beyond the Continental Shelf where 

 national interests are involved and for establishing mechanisms 

 through which national policy can be planned and executed. 



Because the oceanographic ])roblem has many facets, and is great in 

 magnitude, the proposed legislation involves four parallel actions. 



