[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 42 (Monday, April 18, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 18, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   NATIONAL UNDERSEA RESEARCH PROGRAM

                                 ______


                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 18, 1994

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation to 
establish the National Undersea Research Program within the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
  The National Undersea Research Program [NURP] has been in existence 
since 1980 and is the Nation's sole civilian agency whose primary 
mission is to provide researchers access to advanced undersea 
technologies to conduct marine research. The objective of NURP is to 
provide an integrated program focusing on research relating to 
processes in the oceans and Great Lakes in order to better understand 
the global marine ecosystem. This mission is carried out by a network 
of National Undersea Research Centers which fund and conduct scientific 
research through a competitive, merit review grant process. The Centers 
provide underwater research systems including shallow and deep diving 
submersibles, remotely operated vehicles, and specialized SCUBA systems 
through a combination of leased and in-house capabilities. In addition, 
the Centers provide technical expertise in the operation of these 
systems. This allows scientists access to the newest undersea 
technologies and methods, as well as guidance in the application of 
these tools to complex research projects.
  The bill I introduce today is very similar to H.R. 3247, which was 
introduced and passed by the House last Congress. The bill directs the 
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to establish and 
maintain an Office of Undersea Research within the National 
Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] to contain the 
National Undersea Research Program. The bill directs the Under 
Secretary to appoint a Program Director to oversee the Office of 
Undersea Research and to administer NURP. The Under Secretary is also 
directed to establish an independent steering committee to advise the 
Under Secretary and the Program Director concerning the operation of 
NURP, the need to revise the priority research areas, and the 
designation and operation of the National Undersea Research Centers. 
The bill sets out procedures for the establishment of undersea research 
regions and Centers, as well as for reviewing and funding research 
within the Centers. In addition, the legislation establishes a new 
undersea research center for the Gulf of Mexico region.
  Authorization for funding the NURP regional Centers is set at 
$20,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, increasing by $2,000,000 per year 
until fiscal year 1999. A separate authorization of $2,100,000 for 
fiscal year 1995 (increasing by $100,000 through fiscal year 1999) is 
provided for management, administration and support the ALVIN undersea 
research submersible.
  Mr. Speaker, this program has been a proven leader in the 
oceanographic research community for many years. This authorization 
will legislatively establish the program with many of the existing 
operational processes, and additionally, provide needed guidance 
through a high level steering committee. I urge you and the other 
members of the House to support this initiative.

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