388 NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM—1965 
I might also add, sir, that Mr. McKernan, whose interests is primarily 
in the living marine resources of the seas, headed our delegation to the 
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission just a few weeks ago 
in Paris. He may wish to elaborate on that further when he comes 
to the stand. 
Mr. Totterson. We will bear down on him. 
Dr. Waxettn. I have not completed one other aspect. 
The National Science Foundation is the agent of this Government 
for a cooperative study, with Japan, of research and investigative proj- 
ects in which we may both be interested in the Northern Pacific. This 
isapart from the IOC. 
Mr. Totterson. Just one more question. 
Legislation emanating from this committee having to do with ocean- 
ography sought to coordinate the various Government oceanographic 
efforts. Has that legislation been working well? 
Dr. Waxe.in. The legislation, as I understand it, has not passed the 
Senate, if you are talking about H.R. 6997. 
Mr. Totterson. I have forgotten the number. 
Dr. Waxe.tin. We in the Interagency Committee on Oceanography 
strongly endorsed the bill as providing a means to coordinate better 
efforts among the agencies involved in our program. We hope it will 
pass both Houses and be enacted into law. 
Mr. Rocers. Again, I want to say to Secretary Wakelin how much 
we have appreciated his good services over the years. We know of 
your fine work. Certainly you are to be commended and congratu- 
lated for getting this field goimg in a much faster manner than it was 
when you came. 
Dr. Waxeutn. Thank you, sir. 
Mr. Rocers. You have certainly given it great impetus. I think 
we need todo much. This has been indicated by your testimony. 
You discuss the problem you have in the Congress, Congress not 
getting an entire picture of this, which I think is a great problem in 
finding support for an oceanographic program which is as extensive 
as 1t should be. 
What is your feeling about trying to set up a department where we 
would bring all of the activities of research for oceanography together, 
even though it would have the various phases of it? 
Dr. Waxetrn. That isa difficult question to answer in specifics, Mr. 
Rogers. 
May I attempt one? 
The current bill which has been passed by the House and which 
emanates from this particular committee, H.R. 6997, I believe is ade- 
quate for the support and coordination of work which is done 
cooperatively among the agencies and departments of our Government 
which have a mission in the general field of the oceans, or a particular 
need for oceanographic information. There are other problems which 
we are going to have to face to which this bill, while it embraces the 
cooperative programs of a number of departments, may not be the 
correct answer in the long run. Iam talking first about the programs 
