News and Updates
April 2009
Hearing on GOES-R GAO Report
On April 23, the House Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment (Chair, Representative Brian Baird, D WA-3) held a hearing on the GOES-R GAO report. The Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, Mary Kicza, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on our Congressional Testimony page.
House Committee Moves Coral Reauthorization Bill
On April 22, the House Committee on Natural Resources (Chair, Representative Nick Rahall, D VA-3) approved HR 860, the Coral Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization and Enhancement Amendments of 2009. The bill would give NOAA new authority to respond to and enforce against any harm to coral reefs and would codify a coral reef task force created in 2000. The bill now moves to the House floor for consideration and no date has been set yet for a vote.
Hearing on Greenhouse Gas Monitoring
On April 22, the House Committee on Science and Technology (Chair, Representative Bart Gordon, D TN-6) held a hearing on NOAA’s greenhouse gas and aerosol monitoring activities. The Director of NOAA’s Earth System Research Lab, Dr. Alexander MacDonald, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on our Congressional Testimony page.
Representative Nye Staff Visit NOAA Station
On April 20, staff from the office of Representative Glenn Nye (D VA-2) visited the NOAA Command and Data Acquisition Station in Wallops, Virginia, for a briefing on the facility and its programs and activities.
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Representative Wittman |
Representative Wittman Visits USS Monitor Sanctuary
On April 15, Representative Rob Wittman (R VA-1) visited the office of the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary in Newport News, Virginia. During the visit he was briefed by NOAA staff on the Sanctuary’s programs and activities and toured the USS Monitor Center at the Mariner’s Museum. He was also briefed by staff in the Conservation Lab and was able to view the revolving gun turret of the Monitor that is currently being restored.
Representative Wittman has recently joined the congressional National Marine Sanctuary Caucus that is co-chaired by Representative Lois Capps (D CA-23) and Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R FL-18).
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Senator Hagan |
Senator Hagan Visits NCDC
On April 15, Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) visited NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) in Asheville, North Carolina. She received a tour of the facility and an overview of the Center and its work.
Senator Inouye Honored at Sanctuary Center Opening
On April 13, Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) joined the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, at the grand opening of NOAA's Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary Learning Center in Kilhei, Maui, Hawaii. The new Sanctuary Learning Center will enhance protection of the sanctuary by providing a venue for education programs and facilities that support research and resource protection activities. The ceremony recognized Senator Inouye for his support for this facility and also others who helped establish the programs of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary in Kihei, Maui.
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Dr. Lubchenco and Senator Inouye |
Senator Akaka and Dr. Lubchenco |
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Senator Inouye (left) and Senator Akaka (right) |
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Senator Shelby and Representative Bonner Attend Museum Groundbreaking
On April 9, Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Representative Jo Bonner (R AL-1) joined the Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Ocean Service, John H. Dunnigan, for the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the National Museum of the Gulf of Mexico in Mobile, Alabama. NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Maritime Heritage Program has been consulting with the Museum on the preliminary design and content of various exhibits.
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Senator Shelby |
Representative Bonner |