542 
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, 
BUREAU OF THE BUDGET, 
Washington, D.C., October 27, 1969. 
Hon. Epwarp A. GARMATZ, 
Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 
House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 
DeEaR Mr. ‘CHAIRMAN: This is in response to your request for the views of the 
Bureau of the Budget on H.R. 13247, a bill which would amend the Marine Re- 
sources and Engineering Development Act of 1966. The principal provisions of 
the bill are for the establishment of a new independent agency, the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, and a National Advisory Committee for Oceans 
and Atmosphere. This bill would implement the recommendation of the Commis- 
sion on Marine Science, Engineering and Resources with respect to Federal 
organization. 
As you may know, the Administration has been carefully reviewing the Com- 
mission’s recommendations for new and expanded programs in marine sciences. 
In addition, the President has asked his Advisory Council on Executive Organiza- 
tion to examine carefully the Commission’s organizational proposals in the con- 
text of broader Federal organizational requirements. The President also asked 
that the Commission’s proposals be compared with alternative ways of coordi- 
nating and advancing national] development of the marine sciences. 
We believe that action should not be taken to implement the Commission’s 
organizational proposals until organizational requirements extending beyond 
those that could be considered by the Marine Commission are taken into account. 
In view of the President’s assignment to his Advisory Council on Executive 
Organization, we will not be in a position to comment substantively on the 
Commission’s organizational proposals at this time. 
Accordingly, we recommend against enactment of H.R. 13247 at this time. 
Sincerely yours, 
WILFRED H. ROMMEL, 
Assistant Director for Legislative Reference. 
GENERAL COUNSEL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, 
Washington, D.C., October 6, 1969. 
Hon. Epwarp A. GARMATZ, 
Chairman, Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries, 
House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 
DEAR Mk. CHAIRMAN: This is in further reply to your request for the views of 
this Department concerning H. R. 13247, a bill ‘to amend the Marine Resources 
and Engineering Development Act of 1966 to establish a comprehensive and long- 
range national program of research, development, technical services, exploration 
and utilization with respect to our marine and atmospheric environment.” 
On September 23, 1969, Assistant Secretary of Commerce Myron Tribus testi- 
fied before the Subcommittee on Oceanography of your Committee with respect 
to H.R. 13247 and the Report of the Commission on Marine Sciences, Engineering 
and Resources. A copy of his testimony is enclosed.* 
The views expressed by Dr. Tribus at that hearing set forth the position of 
the Department of Commerce with respect to H.R. 13247. 
We have been advised by the Bureau of the Budget that there would be no 
objection to the submission of this letter to your Committee. 
Sincerely, 
JAMES T. LYNN, General Counsel. 
*See testimony of Mr. Tribus. 
