514 
Other bills to establish a so-called NOAA have already been intro- 
duced—this is true. But all these earlier bills propose to do is to transfer 
present Government functions from existing agencies to a newly cre- 
ated agency. The bill introduced by Congressman Lennon represents 
the first legislative attempt to cope with the total organizational prob- 
lem; it would do this by establishing both an NOAA and a National 
Advisory Committee. Both of these are essential ; one complements the 
other, and they should be considered together—as an integral package. 
Finally, I would like to welcome to our committee the distinguished 
Senator from Rhode Island, the Honorable Claiborne Pell. He is a 
recognized authority on oceanography, and I am sure his testimony will 
add a valuable contribution to these important hearings. 
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. 
Mr. Lennon. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 
Today we are resuming our public hearings on the report of the 
Commission on Marine Science, Engineering, and Resources entitled 
“Our Nation and the Sea.” In doing so, we are continuing the initiative, 
begun in May and June, in receiving the opinions of the best-informed 
oraue the Nation can offer on the subject of a coordinated national 
policy for the utilization of the oceans and their resources. . 
The subcommittee places special emphasis on the importance of these 
hearings and upon the need to give careful and serious consideration to 
the recommendations of the Commission—recommendations made after 
more than 2 years of dedicated efforts on the part of the extremely 
distinguished and well-qualified Commissioners. 
We feel a special responsibility to carry forward this work set in 
motion by the Marine Resources and Engineering Development Act of 
1966. Accordingly, on last Thursday, it was my pleasure to introduce a 
bill that has as 1ts purpose the implementation of. the Commission’s 
recommendation for the establishment of a National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Agency and a companion National Advisory Committee 
for Oceans and Atmosphere. I am particularly pleased that I was 
joined in this endeavor by Mr. Garmatz, under whose leadership the 
Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries has moved progressively 
forward, and all 20 members of the subcommittee. I hope that this 
bill will provide further focus for discussion that will lead to the 
formulation of effective national policy. 
‘During this week and the next, we shall continue to hear from distin- 
guished experts from various disciplines, primarily in the private sec- 
tor. Beginning in September, we shall be pleased to hear the testimony 
of prominent members of those branches of the Federal agencies most 
affected by the recommendations of the Commission’s report. 
Without objection, a copy of the bill and agency reports will be 
inserted at this point in the record. 
(The bill, H.R. 18247, and agency reports follow:) 
26-563 
