49'4 



Executive Chambers, 

 Honolulu, May 22, 1969. 

 Hon. Alton A. Lennon, 



Chairman, Oceanography Suheommittee, Merchant Marine and Fisheries Com- 

 mittee, Rayhurn House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 

 Dear Representative Lennon : Our position in mid-ocean requires constant 

 awareness of the direction of the many Federal projects and programs in ocean- 

 ography. 



National programs in the marine isciences will continue tO' have significant in- 

 fluence on Hawaii's oceanjoriented community. We have carefully studied the 

 report of the Oommisision on Marine Science, Engineering and Resources, "Our 

 Nation and The Sea" and supports its recommendations to establish the National 

 Oceanographic Atmospheric Agency and the National Committee on the oceans. 

 We believe that in order to give ocean activities adequate focus and attention, 

 they should be brought together under an independent agency. 

 We give our full support to the Commission's report. 

 Aloha, and may the Almighty be with you and yours always. 

 Sincerely, 



John A. Burns, 



Governor. 



The Commonwealth op Massachusetts, 



Executive Department, 



Boston, June 20, 1969. 

 Mr. Richard N. Rigby, Jr., 



Executive Director, National Oceanography Association, 

 Washington, D.C. 



Dear Mr. Rigby: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is indeed concerned 

 with the Oceanography Subcommittee of the House Merchant Marine and Fish- 

 eries Comittee's hearings on America's ocean program. Since our earliest history, 

 Massachusetts has had an important stake in marine resources and even today 

 ranks among the top three states in the value of its fishery landings. Through its 

 private, federal and state marine research facilities, the Commonwealth is in an 

 enviable position to provide scientific support for any increased exploration or 

 exploitation of the ocean's resources. 



I endorse the concept of a new single ocean agency on the federal level since 

 such a reorganization should provide for a greater effort in this field which is our 

 last great frontier. I also feel strongly that as recommended in the Stratton 

 report the capabilities of the states with regard to management of territorial 

 waters should be strengthened by federal financial assistance. 



Thank you for providing the opportunity for Massachusetts to contribute to 

 this important issue. 

 Sincerely, 



Francis W. Sargent, Governor. 



State of New Hampshire, 

 Department of Resources and Economic Development, 



Concord, N.H., May 23, 1969. 

 Hon. Alton Lennon, 



Chairmam,, Oceanography Subcommittee, Merchant Marine and Fisheries Commit- 

 tee, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. 

 Dear Representative Lennon : I am advised that the Oceanography Subcom- 

 mittee of the House Merchant Marine and Fisheries Committee is currently hold- 

 ing hearings on America's ocean program. 



As chairman of the New Hampshire Advisory Council on Oceanography (a 

 group of some 40 educators, industrialists and State ofiicials appointed by the 

 governor last year to develop a State ocean program), I wish to take this op- 

 portunity to register with your subcommittee our strong and enthusiastic support 

 for establishment of an independent ocean agency within the Federal government, 

 along lines recommended by the National Commission on Marine Science, Engi- 

 neering and Resources. 



It may interest your subcommittee to know that there is within the State of 

 New Hampshire strong support for development of a State ocean program, pre- 

 requisite to New Hampshire's eventual participation in a regional oceanographic 



