Deputy Secretary's Speech

Remarks by Deputy Commerce Secretary David A. Sampson
Conference on Ocean Literacy (CoOL)
Washington, D.C.

Thank you Dr. (Sharon) Walker (Education Director, University of Southern Mississippi, Scott Aquarium).

On behalf of President Bush, welcome to all our panelists, and thank you for your leadership. I'd also like to welcome our viewers from around the country. We very much appreciate your participation today.

Let me first say that the Bush Administration truly understands the significance of the world's oceans. Guided by the President's Ocean Action Plan, we are taking concrete steps to make our oceans and coasts cleaner, healthier and more economically productive.

An essential element of the action plan is lifelong education that develops an ocean literate society. We believe this is essential to fostering a strong economy, promoting healthy ecosystems and preparing a competitive workforce. Successful stewardship and conservation of the ocean's resources depends heavily on knowledgeable citizens and policy-makers to make informed decisions about the best use of those vital resources.

There are many ways to do this. But since the oceans, as well as the Great Lakes, impact vast geographical areas, a regional approach to educating the public is essential. This means building strong regional partnerships between the federal government, state and local governments, educators and non-profit organizations.

This can be a powerful and very effective approach. When I headed President Bush's Economic Development Administration, we found that the most successful way to redevelop a community was to first look at it from a regional perspective. What assets--schools, businesses, infrastructure, and social institutions--could we enlist to help with the redevelopment plan.

I firmly believe this approach will also work for ocean literacy.

At the federal level, the Administration can provide a national-level coordinated education and outreach message, such as the "Seven Essential Principles of Ocean Literacy."

State and local educators are the front line for developing high-quality educational materials and innovative means for bringing ocean science into classrooms. Local aquariums, museums and zoos are experts in reaching the broader public with very diverse audiences.

The regional panels participating in this week's Conference are an excellent example of coupling a national campaign with firsthand knowledge of the unique challenges and opportunities of individual regions.

A specific case in point of regional collaboration is the Gulf of Mexico Alliance created in 2004 by the governors of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In their action plan, the Alliance communicates five priorities for initial action, including environmental education and the creation of a binational network to coordinate existing education efforts. And these complement the national work of the President's Ocean Action Plan.

Another example is the Chesapeake Bay Program, established by an agreement with state, federal and local partners to protect and restore North America's largest and most biologically diverse estuary.

A key component of the Chesapeake Bay program is education. One of many innovative program goals is to provide a meaningful outdoor experience for every school student living in the watershed before high school graduation.

These kinds of regional alliances have another significant function. They encourage regional goal setting for ecosystem management. Oceans are affected by human activity in cities, counties, states and nations. Regional ocean collaborations or alliances would facilitate the development of regional goals and priorities, improve responses to regional issues, and enhance coordination of federal and state planning and management activities.

One final point: Earlier this year, the President announced his new American Competitiveness Initiative for the U.S. economy. One of the top priorities is improving science and math skills of the workforce, starting in our schools and universities. Ocean literacy is an excellent way for getting kids excited about chemistry, biology, math and many other related subjects. We need ways such as this to harness that excitement and encourage young students to become our future scientists and engineers.

In closing, let me say again that President Bush is behind you 100 percent in your efforts to teach all U.S. citizens about the value of the oceans and the Great Lakes, and how they impact daily life across the nation.

Our oceans truly play a critical part in our health and welfare. And the more we know about them, and the more we educate our people, the better off we'll be today and in the years ahead.

Thank you again for inviting me to speak here today.