[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 85 (Thursday, June 25, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7214-S7215]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC COMMISSIONED 
                                 CORPS

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, this year marks the 81st 
anniversary of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
Commissioned Corps, one of the seven uniformed services of the United 
States. The officers of the NOAA corps play an integral role in the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and serve this multi-
disciplinary scientific organization and our nation with distinction.
  The roots of the NOAA Corps can be found in 1807, when our third 
President, Thomas Jefferson, created the United States Coast and 
Geodetic Survey. Directed by Congress, the Department of War and the 
Department of the Navy provided the Survey with commissioned officers 
to chart the coastlines and map the shores of our nation, allowing for 
the expansion of maritime commerce. On May 22, 1917, an Act of Congress 
formally established a uniformed service, patterned after the military, 
to meet the growing responsibilities and unique needs of the Survey. 
This commissioned service of the United States Coast and Geodetic 
Survey (C&GS) served with distinction in both world wars.
  Since its inception, the NOAA Corps has enabled its members to 
perform remote, sometimes hazardous and otherwise arduous duties in a 
wide range of environmental measurement and stewardship 
responsibilities. Indeed, the NOAA Corps is truly on the front line of 
NOAA's operations. Today's corp officers combine unique qualifications 
as research ship and aircraft operators; as technical experts with 
advanced academic backgrounds in hydrography, geodesy, fisheries 
sciences, meteorology, and oceanography; and as leaders in technical 
program and data management contributing to the coherence, integrity, 
and effectiveness of the administrative structure of NOAA.
  In order to discharge the responsibilities of NOAA, the NOAA Corps 
continues to provide a highly effective interface with other branches 
of the armed forces, most notably the Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, and 
Army Corps of Engineers. Additionally, the Corps, our nation's experts 
in nautical charting, ensure the safe navigation of foreign trade, 98% 
of which travels in U.S. coastal waters.
  In recent years, the NOAA Corps has contributed its valuable 
scientific and engineering skills to the Armed Services and to the 
Nation, particularly during times of national emergency.

[[Page S7215]]

 Mr. President, you may recall that it was the crew from the NOAA Ship 
Rude that so swiftly located the wreckage of TWA Flight 800. The Rude 
and a shore component of NOAA officers were also responsible for 
creating a highly detailed map which greatly aided Navy divers in their 
retrieval of the wreckage. For their efforts, they were recognized by 
then Secretary of Transportation Pena and by NOAA's parent bureau, the 
Department of Commerce, with the Department's highest award, the 
Commerce Gold Medal.
  Additionally, it was the NOAA Corps who provided ship, aircraft and 
technical expertise for an environmental appraisal and the first 
comprehensive study of the Persian Gulf following the Gulf War. While 
shore personnel provided expertise in the management of hazardous 
materials, scientists above the NOAA Ship Mt. Mitchell evaluated and 
determined the extent of environmental damage to the Gulf. Not only did 
the work of the NOAA Corps grant instant credibility to both the United 
States and the other nations involved in the Gulf conflict, it also 
provided a safe, effective research platform. Once again, the Captain 
and crew were lauded for their service, receiving a Commerce Gold and 
Silver Medal, respectively.
  Whether charting our nation's coastline, assessing its fisheries 
stock, or flying into hurricanes for the benefit of science and 
mankind, today's NOAA Corp maintains a standard of excellence in 
steadfastly following its mission, always ready to apply their 
scientific and service skills to the management of the United States' 
oceanic and atmospheric resources.
  On this, the 81st anniversary of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Commissioned Corps, I urge all Americans to join with me in taking a 
moment to honor these men and women for their distinguished service in 
their efforts to explore, chart, and protect the oceans and atmosphere 
not only of the United States, but of the entire world.

                          ____________________