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mission recommended the establishment of a National Advisory Committee for 
the Oceans. I am happy to see that H.R. 13247 would establish both of these 
agencies. They are intended to complement one another and should be established 
concurrently. 
Third, may I refer to the National Projects recommended by the Commission. 
Specific projects are identified at page 38 of our report. I feel that it will be 
important for the new marine agency, when established. to be mandated to 
undertake a limited number of concrete, definable activities which both offer 
promise of immediate reward and push forward the existing state of the art. The 
execution of the National Projects would mobilize a broad range of scientific 
and engineering talents in tasks which should gain wide public support and 
attention. I believe that American industry would also participate enthusiastically 
in the National Projects, which have been selected so as to offer practical pay- 
outs in developing capabilities in fields in which there are broad industrial inter- 
ests but whose development lies beyond the resources of individual firms. 
Ocean exploration sometimes is compared with space exploration. The two 
environments of course present quite different problems and our motives for effort 
in the two fields are almost wholly dissimilar. Yet we have learned in our space 
program the value of establishing a few, challenging targets as foci for the 
nation’s interest. A very small proportion of the resources applied to our landing 
on the moon, or prospectively to be applied to the exploration of Mars, would 
permit the initiation of both a dramatic and a useful program of National Proj- 
ects in the sea. 
Finally, I personally have been particularly concerned that, as phrased in 
Public Law 89-454, “the marine science activities of the United States... 
be conducted so as to contribute to... the cooperation of the United States 
with other nations and groups of nations and international organizations” (sec- 
tion 2(b) (8) ). In the conflict-ridden world of today, I consider it essential that 
we seize every opportunity to nurture the common interests which we share with 
other nations. Together with my fellow-commissioners, I have strongly supported 
the International Decade for Ocean Exploration. I believe it very important also 
that commercial exploration and exploitation of the sea’s resources proceed 
within an orderly framework of international law. The Commission’s recom- 
mendations in this area have proved controversial. This is to be expected. But 
the existence of divergent interests in my view simply highlights.the importance 
of coming to some agreement within this country and with our neighbors abroad 
as to what principles are to apply in future years as industrial development 
presses out into the area of present legal uncertainty. 
In holding these hearings, Mr. Chairman, I believe that your subcommittee 
is performing a great service to our nation. Our marine industries and research 
institutions await a sign that the Federal government recognizes the importance 
of the nation’s marine interests and is prepared to make the necessary invest- 
ment to safeguard our position as a great sea-nation. I firmly believe that a full 
review and public discussion of the stakes involved, such as has been under- 
taken by this subcommittee during the past six months, will bring the Congress 
and the nation as a whole to the same conclusion as that which we reached 
within the Marine Commission—that the time for decision is now and that the 
nation’s stake in.the seas can be realized only through a determined national 
effort great enough for the vast and rewarding task ahead. Thank you. 
STATEMENT BY Dr. GLENN YT. SEABORG, CHAIRMAN U.S. ATOMIC HINERGY 
COMMISSION 
Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the opportunity to present the views of the Atomic 
Energy Commission on the report of the Commission on Marine Science, Engi- 
neering and Resources entitled “Our Nation and the Sea.” 
The Marine Commission’s analysis of benefits to be derived from more effective 
use of the sea is thorough and realistic. Its recommendations merit and will re- 
ceive our careful attention during consideration of AEC programs and priorities. 
The recommended reorganization of Federal marine-related activities, centered 
around the establishment of a new independent agency, would draw together 
ocean-related functions and organizations from several existing departments 
and agencies and needs to be examined carefully in the broad context of 
Federal organization and program priorities. In its analysis of the proposed 
