[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 82 (Thursday, June 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1198]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO THE U.S. OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH VESSEL, ``ATLANTIS''

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 1997

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, several weeks ago our Nation's 
Capital was blessed with the arrival of the U.S. Oceanographic Research 
Vessel, Atlantis. Operated by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute of 
Massachusetts and brought to Washington, DC, in conjunction with the 
Office of Naval Research, the 288-foot Atlantis docked in Old Town 
Alexandria prior to leaving on a 2-year global research mission.
  The Atlantis was built by the U.S. Navy and launched recently in 
Pascagoula, MS, at a christening ceremony including Members of the 
House, the Senate, and the administration. The Atlantis will be 
operated by Woods Hole, an outstanding institution that has been a 
leader in ocean science and research for nearly 70 years. Over the 
years, the findings of Woods Hole have benefited the United States and 
the world. Much of this work involves basic research sponsored by a 
number of Federal departments and agencies including the National 
Science Foundation, the Department of Commerce, and the Environmental 
Protection Agency.
  The results of the work of Woods Hole is far reaching and vital to 
our future affecting food production, earthquake and storm predicting, 
agriculture, medicine, and even our own national defense. This work is 
also critical to unlocking the mysteries that lie beneath the surface 
of the world's oceans which comprise two-thirds of the Earth's surface.
  Mr. Speaker, the recent arrival of the Atlantis in our Nation's 
Capital served as a reminder of the importance of scientific research 
which is critical to our national economy and world leadership. I 
commend the leadership of the Department of Defense and the U.S. Navy 
for their continued work in this area and urge my colleagues to 
continue to support the fine work of both the Atlantis and the Woods 
Hole Oceanographic Institute.

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