Lincoln Diaz-Balart: “House Resolution 446 is an open rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 3389, the National Sea Grant College…”

“House Resolution 446 is an open rule providing for the consideration of H.R. 3389, the National Sea Grant College Program Act Amendments of 2002. This obviously is a very fair rule, Mr. Speaker, that will allow Members all possible opportunity to debate this important issue. The underlying legislation of the National Sea Grant College Program Act is amended to include an emphasis on ocean and coastal resources conservation and management, as well as collaboration between academia and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, known as NOAA. Sea grant colleges support applied research at the local level and support major crosscutting research initiatives. This is a bipartisan bill that makes changes to the act that will enhance cooperation between Sea Grant and other executive programs with similar missions, promote funding disbursements based on competitive merit review, and increase authorization levels. Florida has enjoyed great success with this program, through research and education in the areas of aquaculture, fisheries, coastal process, and hazards, marine biotechnology and estuaries.”