Oceanographic Commission of Washington

The Oceanographic Commission of Washington (1967-1981) came into being during a period of growing interest in ocean exploration; its demise came in an era of state policy changes and economic problems. In the mid-1960s, Americans, corresponding to the national experience of reaching into outer space, focused their attention upon the promised research and economic potential, as well as the need for systematic protection of another frontier: mankind's aquatic environment. The Commission received its impetus from the efforts of the Puget Sound Oceanographic Action (or Study) Committee headed by state Sen. Wes Ulman. This committee was sponsored by the Seattle Area Industrial Council and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce. The State of Washington was already rich in the expertise of marine resource development, marine biology, and ocean engineering. Industrial development and educational institutions and varied businesses had a stake in the oceanographic field. Thus, the study committee sought a means by which to coordinate local skills, experiences, and initiative to establish the Puget Sound as a national oceanographic center. The committee's approach was influenced by the successful government-corporate partnership which directed the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. It published "A Proposal for a Washington State Commission for Oceanography (1965)." This report recommended the creation of a unique organization which could blend the talents of the public and private sectors. This concept was enthusiastically endorsed by Gov. Daniel J. Evans and the state legislature. It formed the basic framework for Senate Bill 49, passed by the 40th Legislature of the State of Washington, which created the Oceanographic Commission of Washington (also referred to as the OCW) and its private, non-profit "action arm," the Oceanographic Institute of Washington (also referred to as the OIW).

Governor Evans, at the Commission's first meeting, indicated that it was essential for the new organization to create a public awareness of the need for Washington State to assert leadership in oceanographic activities. Dixy Lee Ray, an OIW member, served as temporary secretary at this initial assemblage. John Haydon, a Seattle Port Commissioner and marine publisher who had chaired the Puget Sound Oceanographic Action Committee and who would later serve as governor of American Samoa, became the Commission's first chairman. Jon Lindbergh, son of aviator Charles Lindbergh, a commercial diver and manager of the Seattle-based Oceans Industries Incorporated, became vice-chairman. Commission membership consisted of eleven commissioners; three appointed from each legislative branch and five by the governor. The governor's appointees consisted of citizens-at-large, who served without pay and provided an informational source on oceanographic activities and marine resource affairs for private citizens, public and private agencies, and business and industry. Three of the governor's appointees were required individually to represent labor, marine industry, and higher education. The OCW professional staff, which shared offices with the OIW staff in Seattle, consisted of four full-time employees: Executive Secretary, Administrative Assistant IV, Educational Assistant, and a Private Secretary of Clerk-Stenographer. OCW commissioners approved OIW articles of incorporation and elected eight more commissioners from the public sector to serve on the OIW Board of Trustees. Trustees served four year terms and were voted into the office by the OCW commissioners. Shortly after beginning its operations, the Oceanographic Commission came into conflict with state law because of the makeup of its original membership. Legislative members who were serving as commissioners were challenged as to their eligibility due to the fact that they had created the Commission. On 22 Jan. 1969, the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that they were, indeed, ineligible to serve. For nearly six months the Oceanographic Commission, minus six commissioners, continued only to function on a limited, routine basis. All policy matters were postponed and the Institute temporarily ceased to function.

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