Political Quotes

“Mr. President: today I am offering an amendment which will increase funding for the Navy's military oceanographic research survey capabilities. With enhanced survey capabilities, university research fleets will be able to help the Navy in the important work of oceanographic research. This amendment will reduce an approximately 240 ship-year backlog in military oceanographic survey vessels which are operated by the Oceanographer of the Navy. It allows the Navy to use non-military research ships as a supplement to its own fleet. Most of the Navy's surveys are overseas; some are in American waters. Clearly, the Navy Oceanographer's eight ships cannot, by themselves, do all the work for 240 ship-years of backlog. They need help. The University Oceanographic Laboratory System [UNOLS], an umbrella organization of oceanographic research ships, can provide that help. These research ships are owned and operated by a variety of agencies and private organizations, including the University of Washington in Seattle. With the additional funds provided by this amendment, the Navy can enlist the aid of UNOLS in reducing its backlog.”