January 8, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S219 

(5) The results of a periodic external independent programmatic audit of the observing 

system. 

By Ms. SNOWE (for herself, Mr. 

INOUYE, and Mr. ROCKEFELLER): 

S. 172. A bill to establish a coordinated national ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration, and for 

other purposes; to the Committee on 

Commerce, Science, and Transportation. 

Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I ask 

unanimous consent that the text of the 

bill be printed in the RECORD. 

There being no objection, the text of 

the bill was ordered to be printed in 

the RECORD, as follows: 

S. 172 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in 

Congress assembled, 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 

This Act may be cited as the ‘‘NOAA Ocean 

Exploration and Undersea Research Program 

Act of 2009’’. 

TITLE I—OCEAN EXPLORATION 

SEC. 101. PURPOSE. 

The purpose of this title is to establish the 

national ocean exploration program and the 

national undersea research program within 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 

SEC. 102. PROGRAM ESTABLISHED. 

The Administrator of the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration shall, in 

consultation with the National Science 

Foundation and other appropriate Federal 

agencies, establish a coordinated national 

ocean exploration program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that promotes collaboration with other 

Federal ocean and undersea research and exploration programs. To the extent appropriate, the Administrator shall seek to facilitate coordination of data and information 

management systems, outreach and education programs to improve public understanding of ocean and coastal resources, and 

development and transfer of technologies to 

facilitate ocean and undersea research and 

exploration. 

SEC. 103. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—In carrying out the program authorized by section 102, the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall— 

(1) conduct interdisciplinary voyages or 

other scientific activities in conjunction 

with other Federal agencies or academic or 

educational institutions, to explore and survey little known areas of the marine environment, inventory, observe, and assess living and nonliving marine resources, and report such findings; 

(2) give priority attention to deep ocean regions, with a focus on deep water marine systems that hold potential for important scientific discoveries, such as hydrothermal 

vent communities and seamounts; 

(3) conduct scientific voyages to locate, define, and document historic shipwrecks, submerged sites, and other ocean exploration 

activities that combine archaeology and 

oceanographic sciences; 

(4) develop and implement, in consultation 

with the National Science Foundation, a 

transparent, competitive process for meritbased peer-review and approval of proposals 

for activities to be conducted under this program, taking into consideration advice of 

the Board established under section 105; 

(5) enhance the technical capability of the 

United States marine science community by 

promoting the development of improved 

oceanographic research, communication, 

navigation, and data collection systems, as 

well as underwater platforms and sensor and 

autonomous vehicles; and 

(6) establish an ocean exploration forum to 

encourage partnerships and promote communication among experts and other stakeholders in order to enhance the scientific and 

technical expertise and relevance of the national program. 

(b) DONATIONS.—The Administrator may 

accept donations of property, data, and 

equipment to be applied for the purpose of 

exploring the oceans or increasing knowledge of the oceans. 

SEC. 104. OCEAN EXPLORATION AND UNDERSEA 

RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE TASK FORCE. 

(a) IN GENERAL.— The Administrator of the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in coordination with the National 

Science Foundation, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the 

United States Geological Survey, the Department of the Navy, the Mineral Management Service, and relevant governmental, 

non-governmental, academic, industry, and 

other experts, shall convene an ocean exploration and undersea research technology and 

infrastructure task force to develop and implement a strategy— 

(1) to facilitate transfer of new exploration 

and undersea research technology to the programs authorized under this Act; 

(2) to improve availability of communications infrastructure, including satellite capabilities, to such programs; 

(3) to develop an integrated, workable, and 

comprehensive data management information processing system that will make information on unique and significant features 

obtained by such programs available for research and management purposes; 

(4) to conduct public outreach activities 

that improve the public understanding of 

ocean science, resources, and processes, in 

conjunction with relevant programs of the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, 

and other agencies; and 

(5) to encourage cost-sharing partnerships 

with governmental and nongovernmental entities that will assist in transferring exploration and undersea research technology and 

technical expertise to the programs. 

(b) BUDGET COORDINATION.—The task force 

shall coordinate the development of agency 

budgets and identify the items in their annual budget that support the activities identified in the strategy developed under subsection (a). 

SEC. 105. OCEAN EXPLORATION ADVISORY 

BOARD. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Administrator of 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall appoint an Ocean Exploration Advisory Board composed of experts 

in relevant fields— 

(1) to advise the Administrator on priority 

areas for survey and discovery; 

(2) to assist the program in the development of a 5-year strategic plan for the fields 

of ocean, marine, and Great Lakes science, 

exploration, and discovery; 

(3) to annually review the quality and effectiveness of the proposal review process established under section 103(a)(4); and 

(4) to provide other assistance and advice 

as requested by the Administrator. 

(b) FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE ACT.— 

Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to 

the Board appointed under subsection (a). 

(c) APPLICATION WITH OUTER CONTINENTAL

SHELF LANDS ACT.—Nothing in this title supersedes, or limits the authority of the Secretary of the Interior under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (43 U.S.C. 1331 et 

seq.). 

SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

There are authorized to be appropriated to 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out this title— 

(1) $33,550,000 for fiscal year 2009; 

(2) $36,905,000 for fiscal year 2010; 

(3) $40,596,000 for fiscal year 2011; 

(4) $44,655,000 for fiscal year 2012; 

(5) $49,121,000 for fiscal year 2013; 

(6) $54,033,000 for fiscal year 2014; and 

(7) $59,436,000 for fiscal year 2015. 

TITLE II—UNDERSEA RESEARCH 

PROGRAM 

SEC. 201. PROGRAM ESTABLISHED. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall establish and maintain an undersea research program and shall designate 

a Director of that program. 

(b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the program 

is to increase scientific knowledge essential 

for the informed management, use, and preservation of oceanic, marine, and coastal 

areas and the Great Lakes. 

SEC. 202. POWERS OF PROGRAM DIRECTOR. 

The Director of the program, in carrying 

out the program, shall— 

(1) cooperate with institutions of higher 

education and other educational marine and 

ocean science organizations, and shall make 

available undersea research facilities, equipment, technologies, information, and expertise to support undersea research efforts by 

these organizations; 

(2) enter into partnerships, as appropriate 

and using existing authorities, with the private sector to achieve the goals of the program and to promote technological advancement of the marine industry; and 

(3) coordinate the development of agency 

budgets and identify the items in their annual budget that support the activities described in paragraphs (1) and (2). 

SEC. 203. ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The program shall be conducted through a national headquarters, a 

network of extramural regional undersea research centers that represent all relevant 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration regions, and the National Institute 

for Undersea Science and Technology. 

(b) DIRECTION.—The Director shall develop 

the overall direction of the program in coordination with a Council of Center Directors comprised of the directors of the extramural regional centers and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology. The Director shall publish a draft 

program direction document not later than 1 

year after the date of enactment of this Act 

in the Federal Register for a public comment 

period of not less than 120 days. The Director 

shall publish a final program direction, including responses to the comments received 

during the public comment period, in the 

Federal Register within 90 days after the 

close of the comment period. The program 

director shall update the program direction, 

with opportunity for public comment, at 

least every 5 years. 

SEC. 204. RESEARCH, EXPLORATION, EDUCATION 

AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The following research, 

exploration, education, and technology programs shall be conducted through the network of regional centers and the National Institute for Undersea Science and Technology: 

(1) Core research and exploration based on 

national and regional undersea research priorities. 

(2) Advanced undersea technology development to support the National Oceanic and 


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S220 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE January 8, 2009 

Atmospheric Administration’s research mission and programs. 

(3) Undersea science-based education and 

outreach programs to enrich ocean science 

education and public awareness of the oceans 

and Great Lakes. 

(4) Development, testing, and transition of 

advanced undersea technology associated 

with ocean observatories, submersibles, advanced diving technologies, remotely operated vehicles, autonomous underwater vehicles, and new sampling and sensing technologies. 

(5) Discovery, study, and development of 

natural resources and products from ocean, 

coastal, and aquatic systems. 

(b) OPERATIONS.—The Director of the program, through operation of the extramural 

regional centers and the National Institute 

for Undersea Science and Technology, shall 

leverage partnerships and cooperative research with academia and private industry. 

SEC. 205. COMPETITIVENESS. 

(a) DISCRETIONARY FUND.—The Program 

shall allocate no more than 10 percent of its 

annual budget to a discretionary fund that 

may be used only for program administration and priority undersea research projects 

identified by the Director but not covered by 

funding available from centers. 

(b) COMPETITIVE SELECTION.—The Administrator shall conduct an initial competition 

to select the regional centers that will participate in the program 90 days after the 

publication of the final program direction 

under section 203 and every 5 years thereafter. Funding for projects conducted 

through the regional centers shall be awarded through a competitive, merit-reviewed 

process on the basis of their relevance to the 

goals of the program and their technical feasibility. 

SEC. 206. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

There are authorized to be appropriated to 

the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to carry out this title— 

(1) for fiscal year 2009— 

(A) $13,750,000 for the regional centers, of 

which 50 percent shall be for West Coast regional centers and 50 percent shall be for 

East Coast regional centers; and 

(B) $5,500,000 for the National Technology 

Institute; 

(2) for fiscal year 2010— 

(A) $15,125,000 for the regional centers, of 

which 50 percent shall be for West Coast regional centers and 50 percent shall be for 

East Coast regional centers; and 

(B) $6,050,000 for the National Technology 

Institute; 

(3) for fiscal year 2011— 

(A) $16,638,000 for the regional centers, of 

which 50 percent shall be for West Coast regional centers and 50 percent shall be for 

East Coast regional centers; and 

(B) $6,655,000 for the National Technology 

Institute; 

(4) for fiscal year 2012— 

(A) $18,301,000 for the regional centers, of 

which 50 percent shall be for West Coast regional centers and 50 percent shall be for 

East Coast regional centers; and 

(B) $7,321,000 for the National Technology 

Institute; 

(5) for fiscal year 2013— 

(A) $20,131,000 for the regional centers, of 

which 50 percent shall be for West Coast regional centers and 50 percent shall be for 

East Coast regional centers; and 

(B) $8,053,000 for the National Technology 

Institute; 

(6) for fiscal year 2014— 

(A) $22,145,000 for the regional centers, of 

which 50 percent shall be for West Coast regional centers and 50 percent shall be for 

East Coast regional centers; and 

(B) $8,859,000 for the National Technology 

Institute; and 

(7) for fiscal year 2015— 

(A) $24,359,000 for the regional centers, of 

which 50 percent shall be for West Coast regional centers and 50 percent shall be for 

East Coast regional centers; and 

(B) $9,744,000 for the National Technology 

Institute. 

By Mr. FEINGOLD: 

S. 175. A bill to evaluate certain 

skills certification programs, and for 

other purposes; to the Committee on 

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. 

Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, today 

I introduce a straight-forward bill that 

is a first step toward helping American 

workers and businesses. This bill is 

part of my E–4 Initiative, which focuses on issues affecting the economy, 

energy, education and employment. 

The Skills Standards Certification 

Evaluation Act will require the Secretaries of Labor, Education and Commerce to evaluate skills standards certification programs that have been developed with federal funding. 

Skills Standards Certifications have 

emerged over the past two decades in 

response to job growth in high-technology and varied industries. The 

training or classes usually take weeks 

or months, rather than years. Often, 

they are developed in response to the 

needs of one industry or even one company, though the skills are often applicable more widely. 

As the President-elect and Congress 

work to save and create jobs through 

additional funding for infrastructure, 

green jobs, and similar programs, 

among other things, it is even more 

critical that employers be able to find 

qualified workers for a variety of positions. Workers who can easily demonstrate their skills quickly and easily 

will be able to benefit from such investments early on. 

Over the past two decades, the Federal Government has taken conflicting 

approaches to skills standards certifications. That is why, as part of the 

Skills Standards Certification Evaluation Act, I require a recommendation 

from the Secretaries of Labor and Commerce on how Congress ought to move 

forward with funding for these certification programs. Both the national, 

top-down, and a local, bottom-up approach have been tried, and a thorough 

evaluation will make clear how we can 

move forward to get the most out of 

the funding the Federal Government 

provides. 

These certifications have a tremendous benefit for workers. First, because 

the training is often condensed into a 

few weeks with a flexible schedule, it 

allows people to complete certifications without leaving a current job 

and without the financial cost of attending a full-time program that lasts 

a year or more. In addition, these programs allow workers to clearly demonstrate a certain set of skills, and 

may open more doors for higher-paying 

employment. Because these programs 

can be completed without leaving 

work, they also allow workers to advance within a career or company to 

more skilled positions and better wages 

and benefits. 

For employers, Skills Standards Certifications can simplify the search for 

employees. I have heard from numerous Wisconsin employers, especially 

small businesses with limited resources, that it is hard to find employees with the skills they need, or who 

will be dedicated and loyal. Skills 

Standards Certifications clearly show 

the qualification of an individual, of 

course, but also tell the employer that 

he or she is dedicated enough to invest 

in the course to earn the certificate. 

Very few people will spend the time 

and money to enroll in such a program 

if they don’t intend to use the certificate. 

Lastly, these programs can help state 

and local governments quantify their 

skilled workforce, which can be invaluable when marketing the area to businesses and investment. 

This bill is a small first step in what 

I hope can be a continuing effort to 

help hard-working Americans obtain 

and use high-demand work skills. 

By Mr. FEINGOLD: 

S. 176. A bill to improve the job access and reverse commute program, 

and for other purposes; to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and 

Urban Affairs. 

Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, today 

I reintroduce a piece of my E4 initiative, so named because it is a collection of proposals that address issues 

important to the economy, education, 

employment and energy. This piece of 

the E4 legislation focuses on the important supporting role that transportation can play in economic development by creating an environment 

where employers and those seeking employment or better employment are 

connected together. Having such a system to overcome transportation hurdles can benefit both employers and 

employees, as well as the local economy and is all the more important in 

these difficult economic times. 

In more general terms, investing in 

our infrastructure like roads, bridges 

and transit systems can have direct job 

creation impacts. This is one reason I 

have fought hard with the rest of the 

delegation for a fair rate of return for 

Wisconsin from the highway bill. It is 

also why in a letter I sent to Presidentelect Obama and Senate leaders I included highway and transit projects as 

part of a variety of ready-to-go infrastructure projects that should be included in the forthcoming economic recovery program. 

In addition to supporting transportation-related jobs, linking workers 

and businesses that need them can also 

be an important part of a more comprehensive job creation strategy. This 

can mean supporting a robust public 

transportation system or more specific 

programs designed to link low-income 

individuals with jobs. I have consistently done the former by supporting 


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