Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
7339586
label
Remarks of the Vice President Before the House Science and Technology Committee [Speeches by Others]
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
7339586
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
Remarks of the Vice President Before the House Science and Technology Committee [Speeches by Others]
citationUrl
collections
White House Press Releases (Ford Administration)
Press Releases
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
7339586
levelOfDescription
item
productionDates
day
10
logicalDate
1975-06-10
month
6
year
1975
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
35ce70355d38218d
ocrText
Digitized from Box 12 of the White House Press Releases at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
FOR IMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 10, 1975
OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
Washington, D. C.
REMARKS OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
BEFORE THE HOUSE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
2318 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
10:00 A.M. EDT
I want to thank your distinguished Chairman, Congressman
Teague, for inviting me to present the Administration's position
on the vital subject of scientific and technological expertise in
the White House.
Today's meeting is the latest evidence of the outstanding
initiative and leadership Congressman Teague has provided in this
most important area.
Through his Chairmanship and long membership on the Committee
on Science and Technology, Congressman Teague has played a crucial
role in the formulation of policies and programs which have
sustained America's edge in the sciences and in technology.
I also want to express my admiration for the leading role
played on the Committee by your ranking minority member, Congressman
Mosher.
And to all the members, I would like to express my opinion
that you could not be serving on a committee with greater impact on
America's future.
The progress that this country achieves in the months and
years ahead will be influenced in no small measure by the work
accomplished by this Committee.
America's preeminence in science and technology has long
been the key to our strength as a nation and our unsurpassed standard
of living as a people.
Through American technology, pure science is converted into
industrial growth, a strong defense, better health care, agricultural
plenty and expanding opportunity for our people.
As a society, we are dedicated to freedom, equality and
justice.
But achievement of these goals depends, in turn, on a
society that continues to offer expanding opportunity to all its
people.
And providing this opportunity requires that we continue to
progress, scientifically and technologically.
I am aware that in some quarters the concept of growth is
being questioned today.
But in a nation where so many are rightfully striving to
better their lot, for themselves and their families, this no-growth
outlook amounts to someone saying, "You can pull up the ladder, now.
I'm on board".
This is not the American way. Ours is the land of
opportunity.
Throughout our history, whether we look to the cotton gin,
the telephone, the internal combustion engine, or the laser beam;
MORE
-
2
- we have applied science to the solution of practical
problems, to a degree that has made America the strongest and
freest nation, while serving the needs of all mankind.
The case for our technical and scientific leadership has
surely not abated.
It has grown stronger with the increasing complexity and
interdependency of the world in which we live.
A brief look at the problems we face tells us that scientif
and technological progress is indispensable.
Energy, the environment, food production, defense develop-
ments and disarmament agreements - just to name a few all have
a scientific dimension.
He cannot turn away from these challenges.
We must apply our science to their solution in the
construction of a better nation and a better world.
And the perpetuation of our scientific leadership must
involve the highest level of government policy-making.
The President of the United States must have direct access
to the best scientific knowledge and guidance available in this
country.
I am delighted with this opportunity to meet with you today
to discuss the establishment, by act of Congress, of an Office of
Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the
President.
Here is a need which we can all agree ought to be met.
Here is an action on which we can be united, whatever our
party. whatever branch of government we serve.
We must maintain America's preeminent place in science and
technology.
And the creation of an Office of Science and Technology
Policy will help the President to keep America first in science.
As you well know, the concept of direct high-level,
independent scientific counsel for the President is not new.
This function has been enormously helpful to past
Administrations and, in turn, beneficial to the nation.
In 1951, President Truman initiated a Scientific Advisory
Committee in the Office of Defense Mobilization which met with the
President, from time to time, even though the Office was part of
the Department of Defense.
Then Sputnik went into orbit in 1957, it became clear that
a source of scientific advice was needed directly by the nation's
Chief Executive.
President Eisenhower, therefore, transferred the function
into the White House, greatly expanded its role and established a
Science Adviser to the President.
In 1961, in reorganizing the Executive Branch, President
Kennedy created an Office of Science and Technology, under a
science adviser, served by a fairly large staff.
Throughout much of the 1960's, the Office of Science and
Technology played a vital role in the White House, particularly
in the development of space and military policies.
-MORE -
3
Then, during the late Sixties, a good deal of national
attention shifted to social and economic policy-making.
The role expected of an Office of Science and Technology
became less clear and the involvement of the Office in White House
policy formation declined.
In July of 1973, President Nixon abolished the role of
Science Adviser, the OST and the President's Science Advisory
Committee.
These functions were transferred to other agencies.
Removal of the science advisory function from the White
House was strongly opposed by the scientific community.
Since then, there has been a substantial effort, both by the
scientific community and those who recognize the indispensability
of science to sound policy planning, to get a science role
reestablished in the White House.
The National Academy of Sciences vigorously recommended the
creation of a Council on Science and Technology in the President's
Office in its report of June 1974.
In December of 1974, the President asked me to examine
whether a science advisory organization in the White House would
strengthen the Presidential staff mechanism.
After several months of study, I recommended creation of
an Office of Science and Technology Policy.
The President approved the recommendation and has proposed
appropriate legislation.
I would now like to review for you the principal elements
of the Administration's proposal.
II. Function and Organization of the New Office
The proposed legislation would create in the Executive
Office of the President an Office of Science and Technology Policy
headed by a Director at Executive Level II and a Deputy Director
at Executive Level IV.
The Director would be the President's chief policy adviser
with respect to scientific and technical matters and would advise
the President with respect to:
A. The scientific and technological aspects of major
national policies, programs and issues;
B. The adequacy and effectiveness of Federal scientific
and technological policies, programs, and plans for meeting national
goals;
C. The utilization of new ideas and discoveries in science
and technology in addressing important national problems
D. The coordination of scientific and technical activities
of the Federal government;
E. And such other matters as the President may direct.
In preforming his duties, the Director will work closely
with and advise the senior staff in the White House and Executive
Office of the President.
- MORE -
4
The Director will be involved in the review of military as
well as civilian scientific and technical programs and work closely
with the National Security Council, the Domestic Council and the
Office of Management and Budget.
III. Resources for the New Office
The Director and Deputy Director would be assisted by a
staff of up to 15 professionals.
The President intends to request appropriations of up to
$1.5 million for support of the organization during its first year.
In addition, the Director of the Office is expected to draw
upon the extensive resources available in:
A. the academic, industrial and private research community
to obtain expert advice, on an ad hoc basis, on scientific and
technological matters of national concern:
B. and in Federal departments and agencies.
The Director would also assume chairmanship of the inter-
agency Federal Council for Science and Technology.
I thank Chairman Teague and all the members for this oppor-
tunity to discuss with you a vital issue that bears directly on
the future progress of this nation and our hopes for fulfilling
the rightful aspirations of our people.
- o -