News and Updates

 

 

May 2013

 

 

Senate and House Staff Briefing on Hurricane Outlook

On May 23, all interested Senate and House staff were briefed by the Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), Dr. Louis Uccellini, and the Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Dr. Holly Bamford, as well as other federal officials on the 2013 NOAA Hurricane Seasonal Outlook & Flood Resiliency panel. The briefing, hosted by Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY), highlighted proactive measures each agency is taking to better prepare our citizens and communities for the 2013 Hurricane Season. Presenters discuseds their efforts to prepare for, mitigate, and respond to hurricanes. The briefing included NOAA's announcement of the 2013 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook forecast. An additional discussion focused on flood mitigation, community resilience, and tools that NOAA and other agencies provide.

 

Senate Confirmation Hearing – Commerce Secretary

On May 23, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Chair, Senator Jay Rockefeller, D-WV) held a hearing on the confirmation of the President’s nominee to be the Secretary of Commerce, Ms. Penny Pritzker. Ranking Member, Senator John Thune (R-SD) said he expects a vote on the Senate floor after the Memorial Day recess.

 

House Hearing on Magnuson and Data Collection

On May 21, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs (Chair, Representative John Fleming, R LA-4) held an oversight hearing titled, “Data collection issues in relation to the reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.” The Chief Science Advisor and Director of Scientific Programs for NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Dr. Richard Merrick, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page of the OLIA website.

 

Representative Boustany Attends Hurricane Season Forum – Morgan City

On May 13, Representative Charles Boustany (R LA-3) attended a public forum in Morgan City, Louisiana on the 2013 Hurricane Season at which they discussed the needs and preparations for the public of south Louisiana to take in dealing with tropical cyclones threatening the state. Representative Boustany was joined by officials from NOAA’s National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office and NOAA’s National Ocean Service for this forum, one of three currently scheduled.

 

Senate and House Staff and State Local Officials Join Dr. Sullivan At MOC-P

On May 13, staff from the offices of Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Representative Kurt Schrader (D OR-5) as well as state and local officials joined NOAA’s Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, at NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, Marine Operations Center – Pacific (MOC-P) in Newport, Oregon. During the visit they received a tour of MOC-P and then had a meeting with Dr. Sullivan for an update on NOAA, our mission, programs, and activities.

 

Representative Boustany Attends Hurricane Season Forum – Lake Charles

On May 10, Representative Charles Boustany (R LA-3) attended a public forum in Lake Charles, Louisiana on the 2013 Hurricane Season at which they discussed the needs and preparations for the public of south Louisiana to take in dealing with tropical cyclones threatening the state. Representative Boustany was joined by officials from NOAA’s National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office and NOAA’s National Ocean Service for this forum, one of three currently scheduled.

 

Representative Israel Hurricane Season Preparedness Event

On May 6, Representative Steve Israel (D NY-3) hosted a hurricane season preparedness event for the emergency management and first-responder community in western Long Island, New York. Representative Israel invited officials from the NOAA National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office in New York City to participate.

 

Representative Palazzo Visits Buoy Center

On May 2, Representative Steven Palazzo (R MS-4) visited NOAA’s National Weather Service, National Data Buoy Center in Stennis, Mississippi. During the visit Representative Palazzo was briefed on the Center’s mission, programs, and activities.

 

Representative Polis Visits Boulder Facilities

On May 2, Representative Jared Polis (D CO-2) visited NOAA’s David Skaggs Research Center in Boulder, Colorado, where he attended a brown bag discussion hosted by the Boulder Labs Diversity Council.

RepPolis
Representative Polis speaking to NOAA Employees.


Hawaii Delegation Meeting on Coastal Zone Management

On May 1, staff for Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D HI-2) joined statte officials and representatives from NOAA’s National Ocean Service in Honolulu, Hawaii, for a meeting planned by the Hawaii State office of Planning on the Hawaii Coastal Zone Management Program. The meeting provided an opportunity for congressional representatives and federal, state, and local partners and stakeholders to ask questions about the program.

 

Senator Coats Staff Tour of WFO

On May 1, staff for Senator Dan Coats (R-IN) toured NOAA’s National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Sterling, Virginia. During the tour, the staff were provided a briefing on the WFO’s mission, programs, and activities.

 

FY 2014 Budget Briefings for Congress

A number of Members of the Senate and House and congressional staff have been briefed by NOAA leadership on the FY 2014 NOAA Budget Request (and/or the Line Office/Program FY 2014 request). Below are the briefings recently noting date, Member or staff, briefer(s), and OLIA Lead(s):

May 17

May 16

May 15

May 14

May 9

May 8

May 7

May 2

May 1


FY14 Budget Request Highlights

Please click the links below for one-page summaries that provide an overview of NOAA’s major missions, offices, programs, and activities as well as FY14 Budget Request Highlights.

National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service
The Nation’s operational weather satellite and information service. [one-pager PDF]

National Marine Fisheries Service
Stewardship of living marine resources. [one-pager PDF]

National Ocean Service
Positioning America for the Future. [one-pager PDF]

National Weather Service
Fostering a Weather-Ready Nation. [one-pager PDF]

Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
Providing environmental intelligence for a dynamic world. [one-pager PDF]

Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research
A world leader in observing, understanding, and predicting the Earth system. [one-pager PDF]