42 MARINE SCIENCES AND RESEARCH ACT 
THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE, 
Washington, D.C., May 23, 1960. 
Hon. Warren G. Maenuson, 
Chairman, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, 
U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. 
Dear Mr. CuarrMan: This letter is in reply to your request of 
September 17, 1959, for the views of this Department with respect to 
S. 2692, a bill to advance the marine sciences, to establish a compre- 
hensive 10-year program of oceanographic research and surveys; to 
promote commerce and navigation, to secure the national defense; to 
expand ocean resources; to authorize the construction of research and 
survey ships and facilities; to assure systematic studies of effects of 
radioactive materials In marine environments; to enhance the general 
welfare; and for other purposes. 
The law when enacted would be cited as the ‘‘Marine Sciences and 
Research Act of 1959.” 
The bill would declare that systematic, scientific studies and surveys 
of the oceans and ocean floor and other data concerning the seas, and 
the education and training of oceanographic scientists are vital to 
defense and commerce, and that there must be a coordinated long- 
range program of oceanographic research. A Division of Marine 
Sciences would be established in the National Science Foundation 
which would include representation from Government agencies which 
have responsibilities related to oceanography, and oceanographic scien- 
tists associated with universities, laboratories, or foundations. The 
Division would be directed to (1) develop and encourage a continuing 
national policy and program for the promotion of oceanographic re- 
search, (2) recommend financial and other assistance for the program, 
(3) cooperate with and encourage the cooperation of other Govern- 
ment agencies dealing with problems related to the seas, (4) foster 
the interchange of information among marine scientists, and (5) evalu- 
ate the scientific aspects of programs of research and surveys of Federal 
agencies, universities, and institutions receiving assistance from the 
Federal Government for oceanographic and fisheries research and 
ocean surveys. Representatives of the Coast and Geodetic Survey 
and the Maritime Administration would be included among the mem- 
bership of the Division of Marine Sciences. 
The functions of various Federal agencies related to marine sciences 
and research would be directed to be utilized for the purposes of the 
bill and additional appropriations for specific purposes would be 
authorized. 
The Department of Commerce supports the objectives of the bill 
and to the extent funds are made available is now carrying out certain 
phases of the program contemplated by the bill. However, the 
Department already has adequate legislative authority for programs 
in oceanography and therefore would not consider enactment of S. 
2692 necessary to achieve these objectives insofar as the Department 
is concerned. 
If, however, favorable consideration is given S. 2692 the Department 
of Commerce would have the following suggestions to offer regarding 
the provisions of the proposed bill. 
A coordinating body already exists in the Federal Council for 
Science and Technology and its recently established subcommittee is 
known as the “Interagency Committee on Oceanography,” conse- 
