512 NATIONAL OiCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM LEGISLATION 



pheric environments which so vitally affect our economy, trade, inter- 

 national relations, strategic posture, natural resource programs, and 

 our basic continental climate and weather patterns. 



It is my hope that this bill and my remarks may serve as a catalyst 

 for the Congress in considering the far-reaching implications of our 

 activities — or lack of them — in exploring, understanding, and using 

 the resources of the atmosphere and the ocean. 



It is essential for us to turn our eyes to the sea around us. "We are 

 at present seriously neglecting this important area on our earth. This 

 neglect can only be harmful to us. We must develop a "national will" 

 to combat the inadequacy in this area. It is my hope that H.R. 

 10106 will contribute to the development of a national will to move 

 forward in a strong, coordinated marine and atmospheric program. 

 For only with a well-coordinated and aggressive program can we hope 

 to conquer this unknown field. 



In reviewing the problems and potentials inherent in our status and 

 purposes in marine and atmospheric use and technology, my thoughts 

 focus on several matters. 



First, let me put into perspective the status and present direction 

 of our efforts to conquer the mysteries of the marine environment. 

 The words of Mr. James H. Wakeline, Jr., former Assistant Secretary 

 of the ISTavy for Research and Development, are appropriate : 



For centuries man has looked to the sea as a surface on which to sail to 

 distant lands for exploration and trade, as an area for naval battles, as a sup- 

 plementary source of food — but always as a region of mystery with unpredict- 

 able and awsome displays of strength. While the world's oceans do, in fact, 

 cover almost three-quarters of the surface of the earth, our real interest lies as 

 much in the volume beneath the surface as in the surface itself. The extent 

 to which we can use this deep domain depends critically upon our knowledge of 

 its boundaries, its proi)erties, and its contents. To obtain this knowledge, we 

 have been working on a concentrated program in oceanography to study the 

 dynamics of ocean behavior on and beneath the surface, to map the depths and 

 shorelines with greater accuracy, and to access the vast storehouse of food, 

 minerals, and chemicals for future exploitation by mankind. From this pro- 

 gram, and others related to it, we will learn much about how to alter and control 

 the tremendous energy developed through the interaction of the air and the sea 

 and released as hurricanes, typhoons, and other storms of great destructiveness. 

 It remains for us now to put this knowledge to work and to find out how we 

 can economically extract the resources from the sea for our use. Before we 

 can fully apply this knowledge, however, we must learn how to live, work, and 

 operate in the ocean depths. Without this capability we cannot effectively use 

 the ocean space for our country's defense or make available its vital materials 

 that we will require for future generations on the earth. 



In our national assault upon the marine environment, I see a tre- 

 mendous historic parallel with that of our country a century and a 

 half ago as we began to unlock the frontiers and rich resources of the 

 "Western North American Continent. 



In this earlier day, Jefferson and a few others who advocated the opening of 

 our West stood alone. Powerful political and industrial forces sought to divert 

 our energies from westward expansion toward Europe and the seagoing trade. 

 John Adams, then Senator from Massachusetts, sided with Jefferson in a display 

 of political courage and wisdom which brought about his ouster from Ithe Senate 

 and what he then believed to he his political demise. 



A few years later, Daniel Webster spoke in questioning terms of our great 

 West saying, "What do we want with this vast worthless area? What use have 

 we for (tliis country?" Although I do not hear specific voices in this day against 

 our national marine program effort, there is a counterpart reflected in apathy, 

 lack of concern, and absence of a national will to forge ahead in this area. 



