NATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC PROGRAM 
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1969 
Houser oF REPRESENTATIVES, 
SUBCOMMITTEE ON OCEANOGRAPHY 
OF THE CoMMITTEE ON MercHant Marine AnD FISHERIES, 
Washington, D.C. 
The subcommittee met at 10:20 a.m., pursuant to recess, in room 
1334, Longworth House Office Building, Hon. Alton Lennon (chair- 
man of the subcommittee) presiding. 
Mr. Lennon. The meeting will come to order. 
Ladies and gentlemen, today we resume hearings on the report of 
the Commission on Marine Science, Engineering, and Resources, “Our 
Nation and the Sea.” 
In addition, we have invited the witnesses to comment on H.R. 
13247, a bill designed to establish a centralized agency for the manage- 
ment of the nonmilitary oceanic and atmospheric programs. This new 
agency, called the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency, would 
be complemented by a National Advisory Committee for Oceans and 
Atmosphere, which would have as its function a continuous review of 
our national policy. 
In designing the proposed agency, the subcommittee has followed 
closely the recommendations of the Commission. 
During the next few days of hearings, we will be privileged to re- 
ceive the testimony of those departments and agencies most directly 
involved in or affected by the proposed transfers. We are aware that 
the task we have charged these witnesses with by asking them to com- 
ment on our bill is a difficult one. 
We understand the predicament created by the fact that the Com- 
mission’s report was referred by the President to his Advisory Coun- 
cil on Executive Organization. However, it is our understanding that 
it may be some time before that Council will be able to consider the 
report, and we feel that we can no longer wait in seeking a resolution 
of these pressing problems. 
Accordingly, it has been our decision to move ahead at as quick a 
rate that is consistent with orderly process. 
IT am sure that the witnesses who appear before us representing the 
agencies concerned, being as dedicated to the national interest as we all 
are, will be constructive in their comments, to the end that we will de- 
velop the most beneficial national policy and program possible for the 
oceans and the atmosphere. ; 
Our first witness today is one who is particularly well qualified to 
establish a framework for the discussion that will follow. We welcome 
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