Opening Statement By Rep. Nick Lampson

Good morning. I want to welcome everyone to today’s hearing on the National Sea Grant College Program Act, H.R. 5618.   H.R. 5618 was introduced by our colleague, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo, chair of the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans of the Committee on Natural Resources.  The Sea Grant program is a partnership between state and federal government to promote the understanding, conservation, and management of our ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources.

Growth of the National Sea Grant College Program has been stunted during the last few years.  Over time the flat funding level has impacted the services delivered on a daily basis to our coastal communities.  With the costs of research and education rising, programs have been forced to reduce staff and a number of education and outreach activities.  H.R. 5618 seeks to amend the Sea Grant Program to implement changes in the program recommended by the National Academy of Sciences.  Some of these improvements include increasing the interaction between the National Sea Grant Office and the individual state programs; as well as improving programmatic performance reviews and authorizing increased funding levels. 

We have a distinguished panel of witnesses here today who will highlight the activities and accomplishments of this program and offer their recommendations as to how we can improve this important research, education, and extension program.  I want to thank all of our witnesses for being here today.