300 



The mechanism is distinguished by large scope and extreme flex- 

 ibility. So that from this point I would say that realization of that 

 potential is up to us now and the only promise that I can make to you 

 at this time, is that we will certainly do our best. 



Thank you very much, Mr, Chairman. I will be happy to try to an- 

 swer any questions. 



Mr. Downing. Thank you very much, Mr. Abel. 



Mr. Lennon. 



Mr. Lennon. Mr. Abel, last week the Vice Chairman of the Presi- 

 dential Commission appointed under Public Law 89-454, who inci- 

 dentally is president of Texas A. & M., appeared before the committee 

 with the Chairman of the Presidential Commission. The Vice Chair- 

 man stated that in his considered judgment there was a need for, in 

 round figures, 3,000 so-called marine technicians or some who had 

 been exposed at least, on an annual basis right now, not 2 or 3 years 

 from now. I noticed you have attached as part of your prepared state- 

 ment a letter that I assumed was directed to the presidents of univer- 

 sities and colleges, so it states, dated June 8, 1967. Subject : National 

 Sea-Grant Program. 



That is a general, broad analysis of the program as you view it in the 

 future. I assume that it was sent out to the presidents of the univer- 

 sities and colleges in the United States ? 



Mr. Abel. Yes, sir. To the best of our knowledge, it went to the presi- 

 dent of every university, every college, every junior college and com- 

 munity college in the United States. 



Mr. Lennon. Including technical institutes ? 



Mr. Abel. Yes, sir. Wherever we knew about them. For this pur- 

 pose we borrowed the lists of the Association of Junior Colleges, Asso- 

 ciation of Technical Institutes, and society mailing lists. 



Mr. Lennon. I notice attached to and made part of your prepared 

 statement what I assume was the number of colleges in each of the 

 States, and those junior colleges which I assume would include the 

 publicly supported technical institutes. You categorize them as junior 

 colleges, but does that list that you have there include the technical 

 institutes supported by public tax dollars ? 



Mr. Abel. Yes, sir. Wherever we knew about them. 



Mr. Lennon. I suppose that when you say Sea-Grant Program con- 

 tacted colleges, that you had actual contacts or responses from those 

 colleges and junior colleges listed State by State ? 



Mr. Abel. Yes, Mr. Lennon. Every college that we have listed has 

 come to us with at least a letter or personal contact asking for infor- 

 mation from which they may prepare proposals later for sea-grant 

 support. 



Mr. Lennon. I do not mean to be provincial but in tlie consideration 

 of this legislation there developed in the judgment of some of us the 

 need for this program in our so-called technical institutes who had 

 a program oriented to the marine sciences. 



I got into that picture and was one of the ones who insisted on this 

 language. 



I am a little bit surprised to see from the list of those that cur- 

 rently responded, no response from the technical institutes in my 

 State. They are actively engaged in this field with their own ves- 

 sels and so forth, and I know they are interested in this program. 



