[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15321]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL OCEAN EXPLORATION PROGRAM ACT

  The Senate proceeded to consider the bill (S. 39) to establish a 
coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.


                           Amendment No. 1100

                (Purpose: In the nature of a substitute)

  The amendment (No. 1100) was agreed to.
  (The amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Text of 
Amendments.'')
  The bill (S. 39), as amended, was read the third time and passed.
  Mr. INOUYE. I rise today in support of S. 39, the National Ocean 
Exploration Program Act. As a cosponsor of S. 39, I join my good friend 
Chairman, Stevens in supporting an enhanced national effort to explore 
our oceans, as was strongly recommended by the U.S. Commission on Ocean 
Policy. The oceans cover nearly three-quarters of the Earth's surface 
and contain a diversity of life which greatly exceeds that found in 
terrestrial systems, and yet our oceans remain poorly understood. I 
therefore commend my friend, Chairman Stevens, for his initiative in 
this area and thank Senators Snowe, Dodd, Kerry, Lautenberg, Cantwell, 
and Reed for their support in cosponsoring this legislation.
  Despite the importance of the oceans in human history, in regulating 
climate change, guaranteeing food security, providing energy resources, 
and enabling worldwide commerce, the U.S. spends only 3.5 percent of 
its research budget on ocean science, and far less on ocean 
exploration. Approximately 95 percent of the ocean floor remains 
unexplored. It is hard to understand our inattention to this exciting 
area of research given the opportunity ocean exploration provides for 
discovering new habitats, species, artifacts, and resources. Ocean 
exploration expeditions can provide images of ancient human artifacts, 
rare or previously undiscovered species, and exciting new ecosystems. 
These images ignite the imagination of the general public and engage 
them in marine science and conservation.
  This bill is a reflection of Senator Stevens' and my long history of 
working together to increase the funding for ocean exploration, as well 
as to secure a dedicated vessel to conduct these activities in U.S. 
waters and worldwide. To accomplish these goals our bill would 
establish a national ocean exploration program within the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that, in coordination with the 
National Science Foundation, would conduct interdisciplinary ocean 
exploration voyages and give priority attention to deep ocean regions.
  To facilitate the aims of the exploration program, the bill would 
also establish a Federal exploration technology and infrastructure task 
force. This task force would be charged with strengthening interagency 
coordination for the purposes of developing and facilitating the 
transfer of new exploration technologies, communication infrastructure 
and data management systems to the exploration program. Long-term 
funding levels are also dedicated for ocean exploration in the bill.
  I hope that my colleagues will work with us today to ensure the swift 
passage of the National Ocean Exploration Program Act.

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