574 
NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM—1965 
I. INTRODUCTION 
This Nation’s destiny has been vitally influ- 
enced by the sea since the days of the early dis- 
coverers and explorers. In their role as an im- 
mense defensive moat, the oceans have permitted 
the growth of our remarkable economy and the 
~ development of our free institutions. The oceans 
have also served as open highways for peaceful 
commerce. 
In the modern world, while these influences 
which mutually fostered development of this Na- 
tion as a world power remain important, there 
are additional reasons for seeking a more thorough 
understanding of the sea. Oceanic resources offer 
an untapped potential for nutrition, for minerals, 
for recreation, and for understanding the planet 
on which we live. Storms tidal waves, and ice pre- 
sent threats to life, to coastal beaches, to ships, and 
property; damage from water and waves runs annu- 
ally to hundreds of millions of dollars. Thought- 
less contamination and pollution of the sea by 
man can be disastrous. ; 
The oceans are the last great frontier of our 
planet. Apart from seeking to describe the geog- 
raphy of this 71% of the earth’s surface, scientists 
have looked to the sea for solutions to broader 
questions concerning the origin of the universe 
and the mysteries of life. 
Despite these compelling reasons to understand 
the sea, national awareness of its importance, and 
interest in its exploration, have been uncertain 
and variable. 
In 1958, this country was spending less than 
$35 million annually for studies in the oceans, out 
of a national basic research budget of well over 
$1 billion. Concerned that this feeble effort seri- 
ously thwarted fulfillment of their statutory mis- 
sions, a number of Federal Agencies requested the 
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to identify 
the national requirements for oceanographic re- 
search and to propose a ten-year program for their 
accomplishment. 
The Academy’s report catalyzed action by both 
the Executive and the Congress and provided an 
eloquent source of awakened public understand- 
ing of man’s relationship to the sea. Almost im- 
mediately after release of the report, the 86th 
Congress took the initiative to examine its impli- 
cations. In March 1959, Representative George 
P. Miller began a series of extensive hearings under 
the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Com- 
mittee. In April 1959, Representative Overton 
Brooks introduced H.R. 6298, the first of a series of 
bills extending through the 88th Congress, which 
are concerned with strengthening the Nation's 
oceanic research. In June 1959, Senator Warren G. 
Magnuson introduced Senate Resolution 136 ex- 
pressing Congressional intent to stimulate oceanog- 
raphy as a matter of national policy. This Resolu- 
tion passed unanimously. In July 1960, the House 
Science and Astronautics Committee released a com- 
prehensive report (number 2078) concurring with 
the goals enunciated by the NAS and indicating that 
the Committee was “open to persuasion’ that an- 
nual Federal support should grow to levels of about 
$160 million by 1970, rather than the $80 million 
projected by the Academy. Acts of Congress passed 
in 1960, 1961, and 1962 expanded the research 
functions of the Coast and Geodetic Survey 1, Coast 
Guard ?, and Geological Survey 3. H.R. 6997, which 
would formalize the Executive planning process, 
is pending. 
The Executive Branch also acted on the basis 
of the Academy recommendation. In 1959 the 
Federal Council for Science and Technology, then 
a newly formed “science cabinet,” undertook ap- 
pointment of the Interagency Committee on Ocean- 
ography to lay plans to correct the serious defi- 
ciencies in the program. Increased funding was 
begun in the FY 1960 budget. On 29 March 1961, 
shortly after his inauguration, President Kennedy, 
in a special message to the Congress, took note of 
the comparatively primitive state of oceanography 
in relation to its potential for the Nation, and 
urged a step increase in funding for FY 1962 that 
should bring this field into better balance with 
other scientific and technical fields. 
This was a conspicuous policy decision of the 
President to make sure that this Nation would not 
again lapse in its quest for knowledge of the sea. 
Although the short-term practical needs for oce- 
anic research were recognized, the intent of this 
program was first to strengthen and expand the 
tiny nucleus of oceanic scientists interested and 
capable of doing fruitful research in the oceans, 
and to provide modern tools for such research— 
ships, instruments, and shore-based laboratories. 
Strengthening these resources was a critical pre- 
requisite to meeting the aggregate and competing 
future requirements for these limited capabilities. 
"+ Public Law 86-409, April 5, 1960 (74 Stat. 16). 
* Public Law 87-396, Oct. 5, 1961 (75 Stat. 61). 
5 Public Law 87-626, Sept. 5, 1962 (76 Stat. 427). 
