Mark Begich actually said...

"We sometimes undervalue our oceans or our lack of understanding."

"Can you imagine if we were to spend half as much as we spend on exploring space, if we spent on oceans, where we would be today?"

"But when you look at the data points of where we are internationally when it comes to STEM education--science, technology, engineering, and math--we are so far down on the scale of where we could be."

"This committee is focused on trying to elevate the issues of our oceans at a much different level than has been done in the past."