[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 23]
[Senate]
[Pages 32021-32023]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING 200 YEARS OF RESEARCH, SERVICE, AND STEWARDSHIP BY NOAA AND 
                        ITS PREDECESSOR AGENCIES

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 147) recognizing 200 years of 
research, service to the people of the United States, and stewardship 
of the marine environment by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration and its predecessor agencies, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 147

       Whereas the Act of February 10, 1807 (chapter VIII; 2 Stat. 
     413), signed by President Thomas Jefferson, authorized and 
     requested the President ``to cause a survey to be taken of 
     the coast of the United States ... together with such other 
     matters as he may deem proper for completing an accurate 
     chart of every part of the coasts'';
       Whereas the Coast Survey was established to carry out the 
     duties established under such Act, and was the first Federal 
     science agency of the United States;
       Whereas over time additional duties were granted to such 
     agency, including geodetic surveying and tide and current 
     monitoring and predictions, and such agency was later renamed 
     the Coast and Geodetic Survey;
       Whereas in addition to providing charts and information 
     vital to our young Nation's economic and commercial success, 
     such pioneering agency led some of the Nation's earliest 
     oceanographic research, undertaking surveys of the Gulf 
     Stream to determine temperatures, depths, direction, and 
     velocity, as well as the character of the seafloor and forms 
     of vegetation and marine life;
       Whereas the early technicians and scientists of such agency 
     invented and supported the development of many innovative 
     tools that led to advances in hydrographic, shoreline, and 
     geodetic surveying and cartographic methods, the first real-
     time water level stations, and deep-sea anchoring;
       Whereas during the 20th century such agency, by then 
     renamed the Coast and Geodetic Survey, advanced the 
     development and marine applications of electronics and 
     acoustics, including the development of Radar Acoustic 
     Ranging, radio sono-buoys, and the Roberts Radio Current 
     Meter Buoy;
       Whereas throughout their history these programs have 
     provided services in support of the Nation's commerce and 
     defense, serving in all theaters of the Civil War and in 
     World Wars I and II as hydrographers, cartographers, 
     topographers, and scouts, including the production of more 
     than 100 million

[[Page 32022]]

     maps and charts for United States and Allied forces;
       Whereas as our Nation's interests and economy became 
     increasingly interwoven with the marine and atmospheric 
     environment, a number of Federal science agencies with 
     complimentary functions, including the Weather Bureau and the 
     Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, were combined with the Coast 
     Survey to create the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
     Administration (NOAA);
       Whereas today these mapping and charting, geodesy, and tide 
     and current data programs are located in the National Ocean 
     Service of NOAA in the Coast Survey, the National Geodetic 
     Survey, and the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products 
     and Services;
       Whereas these programs promote NOAA's commerce and 
     transportation goals and continue to support the research, 
     development, and application of state-of-the-art surveying, 
     mapping, charting, ocean observing, modeling, and Internet-
     based product delivery services to promote safe and efficient 
     commerce and transportation and contributing to the 
     advancement of integrated ocean and earth observing systems;
       Whereas these programs continue to demonstrate relevance, 
     value, importance, and service promoting and employing 
     innovative partnerships with other agencies, State and local 
     authorities, academia, and the private sector;
       Whereas these programs work internationally as the United 
     States representative to the International Hydrographic 
     Organization and through other organizations to promote 
     integrated and uniform standards, protocols, formats, and 
     services;
       Whereas in addition to commerce and transportation these 
     programs also advance NOAA's weather and water, climate, and 
     ecosystem missions including marine resource conservation, 
     coastal management, and the protection of life and property 
     from coastal storms and other hazards, as most recently 
     demonstrated in responding to and facilitating the recovery 
     of communities and commerce in the hurricane stricken Gulf 
     Coast; and
       Whereas the devotion, industry, efficiency, and enterprise 
     of these people and programs over their 200-year history have 
     set an enviable record of public service: Now, therefore, be 
     it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring),  That the Congress--
       (1) recognizes that for over 200 years, the National 
     Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and its predecessor 
     agencies have been providing to the Nation research to 
     improve human understanding of the oceans and atmosphere, 
     service, and stewardship of the marine environment, through 
     products and services that protect lives and property, 
     strengthen the economy, and support and sustain our coastal 
     and marine resources;
       (2) recognizes the vision of President Thomas Jefferson in 
     supporting the advancement of science, and the survey of the 
     coast in particular, to the welfare and commercial success of 
     the Nation;
       (3) recognizes the contributions made over the last 200 
     years by the past and current employees and officers of the 
     Coast Survey, the National Geodetic Survey, and the Center 
     for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services of the 
     National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and
       (4) encourages the people of the United States to salute 
     and share in the planned celebrations of these historic 
     programs during 2007 with ceremonies designed to give 
     appropriate recognition to one of our oldest and most 
     respected Federal agencies on the occasion of its 
     bicentennial anniversary.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Guam (Ms. Bordallo) and the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. McMorris 
Rodgers) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Guam.


                             General Leave

  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the concurrent resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Guam?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  House Concurrent Resolution 147 recognizes the contributions that the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the agencies which 
preceded it, together with their employees, have made in improving our 
understanding of the oceans and the marine environment. The resolution 
also recognizes the vision of Thomas Jefferson when he recognized that 
the survey of our Nation's coast is critical to our welfare and 
commercial success.
  This month represents the culmination of ceremonies and commemorative 
events that have occurred across the country during 2007 recognizing 
200 years of invaluable research, service, and stewardship of the 
marine environment provided by NOAA and its predecessor agencies.
  As the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and 
Oceans, I too recognize the work of NOAA's dedicated civil servants, 
the NOAA Corps, and NOAA's partners in fulfilling the NOAA mission. The 
agency benefits from the strong and able leadership of Vice Admiral 
Conrad Lautenbacher, the current NOAA Administrator.
  Lastly, I want to thank my colleague and good friend from South 
Carolina, the ranking member of the committee (Mr. Brown), for his work 
in sponsoring this resolution. I am honored to join him in recognizing 
NOAA on this occasion, and I have enjoyed working with him this past 
year and am looking forward to our work together on the subcommittee in 
the next session.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 147, sponsored by 
Congressman Henry Brown.
  President Thomas Jefferson had the foresight in 1807 to initiate 
surveys of our Nation's coasts to promote the safe transport of vessels 
into American ports and along our Nation's coastlines. Since the mid 
1960s, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, has 
been responsible for conducting coastal and hydrographic surveys.
  House Concurrent Resolution 147 acknowledges the vision of President 
Thomas Jefferson and recognizes NOAA and its predecessor agencies for 
200 years of research, service to the people of the United States, and 
their stewardship of the marine environment.
  Mr. Speaker, at this time I would like to yield 3 minutes to my 
colleague, the gentleman from South Carolina, the author of this 
legislation (Mr. Brown).
  Mr. BROWN of South Carolina. I appreciate the gentlewoman from 
Washington for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Concurrent Resolution 147. I 
am pleased we are considering this measure today on the House floor. I 
would like to thank my friend and the chairwoman of the Fisheries, 
Ocean and Wildlife Subcommittee, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, for 
her hard work on cosponsorship of this resolution.
  And what a real pleasure it is to work along with you as your ranking 
member.
  And I would also like to thank Chairman Nick Rahall and Ranking 
Member Don Young of the Natural Resources Committee as well as my 
colleagues on the House Science Committee for their support of this 
resolution.
  House Concurrent Resolution 147 recognizes NOAA and its predecessor 
agencies for 200 years of research and service to the people of the 
United States and its stewardship of the marine environment.
  It was the foresight of the third President, Thomas Jefferson, that 
started us down this path of surveying our coastal areas for the 
benefit of the Nation and laid the blueprint for what we now all know 
as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
  My district is home to several outstanding NOAA facilities including 
the Hollings Marine Laboratory and the Coastal Services Center, both of 
which are located in Charleston. These facilities and their work are an 
important part of the coastal South Carolina community.
  NOAA has shown its dedication to our Nation's ocean and coastal 
resources. NOAA's management and conservation actions have allowed all 
of us to continue to enjoy our Nation's oceans and coastal resources.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this important resolution, 
and I congratulate NOAA for their 200 years.
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my 
time.

[[Page 32023]]

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, for their 200 years of dedicated 
research and service to the United States.
  NOAA and its predecessors conducted some of the earliest 
oceanographic research and have continued to serve the United States 
for commerce, defense, and environmental purposes. NOAA is a leader for 
scientific research and environmental monitoring and protection, 
providing an outstanding example to the international community.
  NOAA continues that storied legacy in the 21st century with and 
oceanographic monitoring, the protection of our natural resources, its 
stewardship of the marine environment, and as our first line of warning 
for storms and hurricanes.
  NOAA programs have provided invaluable service to commerce and 
defense, serving throughout the country's history in war and peacetime; 
more than 100 million maps and charts for U.S. and Allied Forces.
  Their programs promote safe and efficient commerce/transportation and 
work toward the advancement of a global environmental observation 
system. Programs also include missions for the conservation of marine 
resources, coastal management, and protection from storms and other 
hazards--especially Gulf Coast hurricanes.
  NOAA's National Weather Service/Weather Forecast Offices at the 
Corpus Christi International Airport and the Brownsville/South Padre 
Island International Airport provide weather and flood warnings, daily 
forecasts, and meteorological and hydrologic data for the South Texas 
Gulf Coast area.
  NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service/Seafood Inspection Program 
in Brownsville offers a voluntary inspection program for fishery 
products on a fee-for-service basis, as well as other services to local 
fishermen and fish processors.
  NOAA's National Ocean Service operates seven tide stations in Texas 
to monitor sea level trends, provide real-time data for storm surge 
warning, including South Texas locations in Corpus Christi and Port 
Isabel.
  This week I will greet NOAA researchers in my district who are 
seeking a new location for a weather research center. I look forward to 
welcoming these distinguished researchers and discussing their needs 
for the future weather research center.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 
147, which recognizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration's (NOAA) 200th anniversary. When President Thomas 
Jefferson originally established the first Federal science agency, 
Survey of the Coast, in 1807, its mandate was to create charts for safe 
navigation. Over the years, bureaus related to the regulation and 
protection of our fisheries, the study of weather and climate change, 
and many other important responsibilities were added. Today, this 
agency, now known as NOAA, has a global reach and a broad range of 
programs that touch all our lives.
  From promoting waterborne commerce and fisheries to predicting 
weather and global climate change, NOAA's role is crucial to our 
Nation. I'm particularly proud of the National Marine Sanctuaries, 
which were created under NOAA's jurisdiction in 1972. In Northern 
California, we are privileged to have three such sanctuaries, the 
Monterey National Marine Sanctuary, the Gulf of the Farallones National 
Marine Sanctuary, and the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary. With 
our oceans and marine life increasingly threatened, these sanctuaries 
play an invaluable role in enhancement and protection.
  The importance of the sanctuaries was recently highlighted when an 
oil spill polluted the precious waters of the San Francisco Bay with 
58,000 gallons of oil. NOAA and marine sanctuary staff stepped in and 
provided key assistance in the clean-up and oil containment efforts. We 
were lucky to have them there. It's events like this that really 
highlight some of the important work done by NOAA and the marine 
sanctuaries.
  This resolution is the product of the Resource Committee's leadership 
and I appreciate their introducing this resolution to honor NOAA's 
important work over the last 200 years. I hope that over the next 200 
years, we are able to provide NOAA and the marine sanctuaries with the 
necessary resources and assistance to continue and expand upon the key 
work that it does.
  Mr. KLEIN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to express concern about 
the lack of progress that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) has made on the issue of hurricane tracking and 
prediction.
  The House passed a resolution honoring the 200th anniversary of NOAA, 
celebrating NOAA's many accomplishments. I voted for this resolution 
because the work of the men and women of NOAA has been and continues to 
be critical to keeping my constituents and the rest of our country safe 
from the threats of the hurricane season.
  However, I continue to be uncomfortable with the management of NOAA's 
decision to spend $4 million for a public relations campaign about its 
anniversary celebration. To spend $4 million dollars at a time when 
resources should be applied to assessing and supporting one of the most 
critical weather tools in hurricane tracking and prediction, the Quick 
Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) satellite, is completely unacceptable.
  The detailed daily snapshots provided by QuikSCAT allow 
climatologists, meteorologists, and oceanographers to better understand 
global weather abnormalities and to improve weather forecasting. In one 
day, QuikSCAT collects data covering 90 percent of the Earth's surface. 
Without the data provided by QuikSCAT, hurricane forecasting would be 
16 percent less accurate 72 hours before hurricane landfall and 10 
percent less accurate 48 hours before landfall. This decrease in 
accuracy would lead to larger stretches of coastline under evacuation 
warnings and more local resources utilized.
  That is why I helped author H.R. 2531, which authorizes $375 million 
to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the 
design and launch of an improved QuikSCAT satellite. The new, next-
generation satellite would maintain weather forecasting and warning 
capabilities and improve data capabilities for future weather-related 
disasters. The bill also requires that NOAA provide annual reports on 
the status of the satellite to ensure that Congress has sufficient time 
for authorizing and funding a replacement when necessary.
  As a Member of Congress with over 70 miles of coastline in my 
district, I feel it is my responsibility to ask NOAA how we got to this 
point where a valuable satellite is on its last legs, and why our 
taxpayers are footing the bill for a PR campaign when hurricanes remain 
a daily threat to Florida and the entire region. I join in the 
celebration of NOAA's accomplishments for the last 200 years, but I 
urge them to be responsible with resources so that they can be 
effective for the next 200 years and beyond.
  Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the contributions 
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA has 
been the leader in national research on oceans and the atmosphere, and 
their effect on the human environment.
  NOAA evolved from the Survey of the Coast, established in 1807, to an 
organization that provides daily forecasts, storm warnings, and climate 
monitoring to a variety of organizations that support marine commerce. 
NOAA has a presence in each of the 50 States and countries worldwide. 
NOAA takes part in the most advanced, cutting-edge research, using new 
and innovative technologies to ensure this country's economic future.
  I am very proud that Western North Carolina is home to the National 
Climate Data Center, the largest archive of weather and global climate 
related data, including that data collected by NOAA. The center holds 
data as old as 150 years old, and as recent as a few hours ago.
  NOAA, and NCDC, are integral to our Nation's success as a global 
economy. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
contributions of NOAA.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Guam (Ms. Bordallo) that the House suspend the rules 
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 147.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. BORDALLO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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