[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 131 Reported in House (RH)]





                                                  House Calendar No. 93

105th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                            H. CON. RES. 131

                          [Report No. 105-262]

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

         Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the ocean.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           September 23, 1997

Reported with amendments, referred to the House Calendar and ordered to 
                               be printed





                                                  House Calendar No. 93
105th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. CON. RES. 131

                          [Report No. 105-262]

         Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the ocean.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             July 29, 1997

 Mr. Saxton (for himself and Mr. Abercrombie) submitted the following 
concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Resources

                           September 23, 1997

 Additional sponsors: Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Weldon of Pennsylvania, Mrs. 
  Mink of Hawaii, Mr. Farr of California, Mr. LoBiondo, Mr. Horn, Ms. 
 Woolsey, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. Green, Mr. Gutierrez, Mr. Davis of Florida, 
 Mr. Bilbray, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Kennedy of Rhode Island, and Mr. Porter

                           September 23, 1997

Reported with amendments, referred to the House Calendar and ordered to 
                               be printed
    [Strike out the preamble and insert the part printed in italic]
[Strike out all after the resolving clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION


 
         Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the ocean.

<DELETED>Whereas the ocean comprises nearly three quarters of the surface of the 
        Earth;
Whereas the ocean contains diverse species of fish and other living organisms 
        which form the largest ecosystem on Earth;
Whereas these living marine resources provide important food resources to the 
        United States and the world, and unsustainable use of these resources 
        has unacceptable economic, environmental, and cultural consequences;
Whereas the ocean and sea floor contain vast energy and mineral resources which 
        are critical to the economy of the United States and the world;
Whereas the ocean largely controls global weather and climate, and is the 
        ultimate source of all water resources;
Whereas the vast majority of the deep ocean is unexplored and unknown, and the 
        ocean is truly the last frontier on Earth for science and civilization;
Whereas the ocean is the common means of transportation between coastal nations 
        and carries the majority of the United States foreign trade;
Whereas any nation's use or misuse of ocean resources has effects far beyond 
        that nation's borders; and
Whereas the United Nations has declared 1998 to be the International Year of the 
        Ocean, and in order to observe such celebration, the National Oceanic 
        and Atmospheric Administration and other Federal agencies, in 
        cooperation with organizations concerned with ocean science and marine 
        resources, have resolved to promote exploration, utilization, 
        conservation, and public awareness of the ocean: Now, therefore, be it
    </DELETED>Whereas the ocean comprises nearly three quarters of the 
            surface of the Earth;
    Whereas the ocean contains diverse species of fish and other living 
            organisms which form the largest ecosystem on Earth;
    Whereas these living marine resources provide important food 
            resources to the United States and the world, and 
            unsustainable use of these resources has unacceptable 
            economic, environmental, and cultural consequences;
    Whereas the ocean and sea floor contain vast energy and mineral 
            resources which are critical to the economy of the United 
            States and the world;
    Whereas the ocean largely controls global weather and climate, and 
            is the ultimate source of all water resources;
    Whereas the vast majority of the deep ocean is unexplored and 
            unknown, and the ocean is truly the last frontier on Earth 
            for science and civilization;
    Whereas the ocean is the common means of transportation between 
            coastal nations and carries the majority of the United 
            States foreign trade;
    Whereas any nation's use or misuse of ocean resources has effects 
            far beyond that nation's borders;
    Whereas it has been 30 years since the Commission on Marine 
            Science, Engineering, and Resources (popularly known as the 
            Stratton Commission) met to examine the state of United 
            States ocean and coastal policy, and issued recommendations 
            which led to the present Federal structure for oceanography 
            and marine resource management; and
    Whereas 1998 has been declared the International Year of the Ocean, 
            and in order to observe such celebration, the National 
            Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and other Federal 
            agencies, in cooperation with organizations concerned with 
            ocean science and marine resources, have resolved to 
            promote exploration, utilization, conservation, and public 
            awareness of the ocean: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
<DELETED>That it is the sense of the Congress that--
        <DELETED>    (1) the ocean is of paramount importance to the 
        economic future, environmental quality, and national security 
        of the United States;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) the United States has a responsibility to 
        exercise and promote comprehensive stewardship of the ocean and 
        the living marine resources it contains; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) the agencies of the United States Government, 
        and all other public and private organizations, are encouraged 
        to strive toward a better understanding of the ocean, 
        communicate this understanding to the people of the United 
        States, and thereby promote the exploration of the ocean, the 
        sustainable use of ocean resources, and the conservation of 
        these resources for future generations.</DELETED>
That it is the sense of the Congress that--
            (1) the ocean is of paramount importance to the economic 
        future, environmental quality, and national security of the 
        United States;
            (2) the United States has a responsibility to exercise and 
        promote comprehensive stewardship of the ocean and the living 
        marine resources it contains; and
            (3) Federal agencies are encouraged to take advantage of 
        the United States and international focus on the oceans in 
        1998, to--
                    (A) review United States oceanography and marine 
                resource management policies and programs;
                    (B) identify opportunities to streamline, better 
                direct, and increase interagency cooperation in 
                oceanographic research and marine resource management 
                policies and programs; and
                    (C) develop scientific, educational, and resource 
                management programs which will advance the exploration 
                of the ocean and the sustainable use of ocean 
                resources.