[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 27 (Friday, March 11, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 TO REAUTHORIZE THE OCEAN AND COASTAL PROGRAMS OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC 
                     AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

                                 ______


                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 10, 1994

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
reauthorize the ocean and coastal programs of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration.
  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], within 
the Department of Commerce, is the primary steward of the Nation's 
ocean and coastal areas. NOAA has responsibility for a broad scope of 
marine and coastal programs which protect marine resources, enhance 
navigation and shipping, and provide an understanding of the ocean 
environment. NOAA draws general authority for its programs through a 
variety of public laws dating back to the last century. The first 
comprehensive authorization for NOAA was passed in the 102d Congress, 
authorizing appropriations for fiscal years 1992 and 1993. The 
legislation I introduce today authorizes NOAA's ocean and coastal 
programs through the end of fiscal year 1995.
   Mr. Speaker, the structure of this bill represents an attempt to 
more closely match NOAA's authorizations to the appropriation process. 
Authorizations are provided at the activity level at which NOAA's 
programs are appropriated and policy decisions are made. The bill makes 
these authorizations only through the end of fiscal year 1995. The 
intention is for this to become a yearly authorization, keeping pace 
with changes in administration priorities and more closely matching the 
activities of the Committee on Appropriations.
  The authorization levels provided by this legislation give priority 
to programs which are congressionally mandated, while maintaining the 
total authorization level near the President's request for fiscal year 
1995. To accomplish this, offsets in the form of cuts to administrative 
costs and low-priority programs were made.
  Mr. Speaker, this is valuable, fiscally responsible legislation which 
I feel reflects congressional priorities. I urge you and the other 
Members of the House to support this initiative.

                          ____________________