[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 89 (Thursday, June 24, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S7418]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    U.S. COMMISSION ON OCEAN POLICY

  Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, I rise today to again acknowledge the 
important work and contributions of the U.S. Commission on Ocean 
Policy. The Ocean Commission, consisting of 16 distinguished 
individuals, was established by the President pursuant to the Oceans 
Act of 2000, legislation I sponsored to bring special attention to the 
problems facing our oceans and coasts, and to lead to recommendations 
for a new national ocean policy. The Oceans Act directed the Ocean 
Commission to submit a report to Congress and the President of its 
findings and recommendations regarding national ocean policy. Exactly 
one month from now, the Ocean Commission will release its final report, 
which reflects the deliberations, findings, and comments generated by 
15 public meetings, 17 site visits, 37 State Governors and over 700 
stakeholders.
  The last time an oceans report of this magnitude was issued was over 
thirty years ago. The report of the Stratton Commission led to the 
creation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and 
passage of landmark legislation protecting our fisheries and coasts. I 
have read the preliminary report of this Ocean Commission, and I can 
tell you it is very balanced and comprehensive. The final report, when 
it is issued, will no doubt influence ocean policy for years to come, 
and has already inspired oceans legislation which my colleagues and I 
have introduced in the House and Senate. I am also currently developing 
legislation that will set out a national vision for ocean policy, 
conservation, research, and education, building upon the commission's 
recommendations.
  Reports do not write themselves, and today I am taking a moment to 
acknowledge the tireless efforts of Admiral James Watkins, USN (Ret.), 
Chairman of the Ocean Commission, the Commissioners, and their staff. 
Admiral Watkins deserves to be commended for leading this monumental 
task and generating the attention it so wisely deserves. Dr. Tom 
Kitsos, as Executive Director, should also be recognized for bringing a 
well balanced report to completion. Each of the Commissioners should be 
applauded for lending their valuable expertise and a considerable 
amount of their own time to this task: Dr. Robert Ballard, Ted Beattie, 
Lillian Borrone, Dr. James Coleman, Ann D'Amato, Lawrence Dickerson, 
Vice Admiral Paul Gaffney, USN (Ret.), Marc Hershman, Paul Kelly, 
Christopher Koch, Dr. Frank Muller-Karger, Edward Rasmuson, Dr. Andrew 
Rosenberg, William Ruckelshaus, and Dr. Paul Sandifer.
  I know Admiral Watkins, Dr. Kitsos and my colleagues share my 
appreciation of the commission staff, who wore many hats and put in 
countless hours to craft a fine report. The commissioners and Dr. 
Kitsos obtained invaluable advice and support from Terry Schaff and 
editorial expertise and advice from Morgan Gopnik. At the heart of the 
report were the staff who lent their considerable talents to developing 
the major themes in each of the working groups and in actually drafting 
the recommendations. Laura Cantral, Aimee David, and Gerhard Kuska 
contributed their expertise to the discussions on governance. The 
stewardship working group was ably assisted by Captain Malcolm 
Williams, USCG (Ret.), Brooks Bowen, Angela Corridore, and Frank 
Lockhart. Research, education, and marine operations issues were 
developed with the skilled support of Ken Turgeon, Captain George 
White, NOAA, Roxanne Nikolaus, and Chris Blackburn.
  A report of this weight depends on careful execution of a public 
relations strategy. Kate Naughten, Peter Hill, and Michael Kearns are 
to be commended for their liaison work with the government and press. 
And we all know that every office would not function without a solid 
administrative support team. Lee Benner, Macy Moy, Polin Cohanne, 
Sylvia Boone, Robyn Scrafford, Stacy Pickstock and Nekesha Hamilton are 
to be congratulated for managing the day-to-day operations of the 
commission.
  My heartfelt thanks go to everyone on the commission for a job well 
done.

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