130 



I think the chairman and members of this subcommittee are due a 

 word of commendation also for moving quickly to extend the life of 

 the Marine Sciences Council and then to conduct these background 

 hearings on the Stratton Commission report. 



In a report of the scope of the one under discussion here, there 

 clearly are going to be suggestions, recommendations and observations 

 that all of us will not agree with. I am certain the reorganization pro- 

 posal will bring about anguished cries from within the Federal 

 Establishment. 



So, while it may be appropriate for others to accent their differences 

 with the Commission findings, in these remarks I would like to stress 

 my support for the basic jBndings of this distinguished Commission. 



Gentlemen, we must have a strong national program in which the 

 private sector can flourish, the academic community provide scientific 

 leadership, and the Governments — Federal and State — provide ap- 

 propriate support and coherent direction. 



We in the Congress have a real responsibility to seize the challenge 

 laid down by the Commission report to get on with the job. We have 

 had an entire decade of reports, studies and recommendations. Now is 

 the time for action. 



I strongly support the conclusion of the Commission that we must 

 begin a major move into the sea — for our security, for the quality of 

 shores and bays, for increased harvest of the seas' resources, for im- 

 proved knowledge of our weather — and to do this, we first have to set 

 the Federal house in order. 



I subscribe to the basic recommendations of the Commission that 

 an independent agency be established to meet this critical need, and 

 I have introduced a bill — H.K. 4838 — ^to achieve this end. I feel a 

 mere regrouping into an existing department, or continuation of the 

 present council arrangement — no matter how effective the leader- 

 ship — will simply be inadequate. 



I hope you gentlemen of this subcommittee will proceed with legis- 

 lation carrying out this recommendation as soon as these hearings are 

 concluded. 



I hope the President will lend his full support to this proposition. 

 As the President himself stated in a speech in Miami last October 30 : 



If we do not take steps soon to upgrade and organize our national oceano- 

 graphic effort, we will not only delay tlie economic benefits the sea can bring 

 us — we may also find ourselves in second place in underwater security. 



As the workings of this subcommittee have testified, this is not a 

 partisan question. If we succeed now in taking action, it will only be 

 because gentlemen such as the distinguished chairman from North 

 Carolina and the distinguished members from Florida, Virginia, and 

 other States, have helped lead the way. 



I hope you will report out a National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

 Agency bill — and I will join you in working for its passage during 

 this session. 



Dr. Julius Stratton stated before you April 80 an expression I 

 would like to endorse : 



A failure to take bold and major actions — will, in my own .ludgment, be dis- 

 astrous to the best interests of our country and condem us to another decade 

 of studies and debate. 



