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off the coast of Florida. No one denied the potential tragedy involved 
in this dumping, but there was no time for the development of feasi- 
ble alternative disposal methods. 
eur oceans, however, are menaced by more than nerve gas dis- 
posal. 
It was estimated in 1968 that 48 million tons of sewage and solid 
waste were pumped into the seas off U.S. coastlines. Oil, gasoline, 
lead, DDT—ocean pollutants are many and farflung. 
Perhaps no more tragic example of this exists than the recent 
ocean crossing by the reed boat a //. Thor Heyerdahl and his crew 
sailed through filthy water in the middle of the Atlantic, hundreds 
of miles out to sea. 
Mr. Chairman and subcommittee members, my own State of 
Hawaii is particularly sensitive to pollution of the world’s oceans. 
The island State coexists with and depends upon the Pacific. It is a 
major component of Hawaii’s environment. 
I believe that it is imperative that an assessment be made of our 
nation’s policy toward disposal of waste into the oceans. Certainly, 
if Congress is to act rationally in this matter, we must know where 
we are and in what direction we are now going. H.R. 19018 and simi- 
lar bills provide, I submit, an appropriate vehicle for such an ac- 
curate assessment. 
I am confident that this distinguished subcommittee will act 
decisively to prevent our oceans from becoming international garbage 
dumps. 
Mr. Chairman and members, I thank you for your courtesy. 
Mr. Dincetu. I would like to thank my colleague from Hawaii for 
his appearance before us today. 
I would like, at this time, to welcome another distinguished mem- 
ber from the State of Florida, the Honorable Sam Gibbons. Con- 
gressman, would you care to address the committee? 
STATEMENT OF HON. SAM GIBBONS, A REPRESENTATIVE IN 
CONGRESS FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA 
Mr. Giszons. May I speak briefly in behalf of two bills which are of 
a great deal of importance to the future welfare of the Nation, if not 
the world. They are concerned with the future condition of the ocean, 
which stores and releases water for the sustenance of life both in the 
sea and on the land. In the full cycle of life, water is drawn from and 
returned to the sea. 
These bills are H.R. 18913 and H.R. 18914. They are brief, and simple 
in form and in intent, but their effects will surely be felt far and wide. 
If approved they will be a forward step to ensure the future presence 
of man on earth. 
This is no exaggeration, for as we are beginning to realize man has 
been heedlessly destroying his home, which is the earth and all of its 
resources. As man’s numbers have increased and his technology im- 
proved he has seized upon these resources, squeezed, hammered, boiled, 
fried, chopped, and otherwise altered them from their natural forms, 
into more utilitarian forms, but leaving a great deal of waste. This he 
has been carelessly leaving about or discharging into the nearest water 
course, whence it inevitably reaches the sea. 
