United States. President's Science Advisory Committee

This committee operated between 1951 and 1973 in order to provide advice and analysis to the president and the federal government on a wide range of scientific and technological matters.

From the description of Records [microform], 1957-1961. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 80053197

In 1951 President Harry S. Truman established a Science Advisory Committee as part of the Office of Defense Mobilization (ODM). On November 29, 1957 Preisent Dwight D. Eisenhower transferred ODM's Science Advisory Committee to the White House Office, reconstituting and enlarging it as the President's Science Advisory Committee (PSAC). Earlier in November 1957 Eisenhower had appointed James R. Killian, Jr., to the newly-created post of Special Assistant to the President for Science and Technology. Members of the PSAC chose Killian to be the chairman of the Committee, a position he held until June 1959 when he resigned as Special Assistant. George B. Kistiakowsky then was appointed as Special Assistant for Science and Technology, and served in that capacity and as chairman of PSAC from July 1959 to January 1961. The Committee had no operating responsibilities. Its purpose was to provide advisory opinions and analysis on science and technology matters to the entire Federal Governement and specifically to the President. About one-half of the panels' studies were directed to the question of how science could support the United States' national security objectives. The creation of Arms Limitations and Control, Limited Warfare, the Space Science Panels, for example, reflected the national security concerns of the Committee. Two important themes common to many of the studies are the budgetary problems of funding projects, and the

Administration's concern over competing successfully with the Soviet Union in science and technology. David Z. Beckler served as executive officer for PSAC during the Eisenhower Administration, and provided overall day-to-day guidance for the Committee staff.

From the description of Records, 1957-1961. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 80094785