Senate by Unanimous Consent Passes Resolution Commending Retiring Max Mayfield: On November 16th, by Unanimous Consent, the Senate passed SRes 604 “recognizing the work and accomplishments” of retiring National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) and nine other Senators had introduced the resolution on September 29th. It was discharged from the Senate Commerce Committee (Chairman Ted Stevens, R-AK) on November 16th. The resolution thanks Director Mayfield for “undoubtedly” helping “to save countless lives and the property of citizens around the world.” It commends him for “improving the accuracy of hurricane forecasting” and for “the critical role that Mr. Mayfield has played in forecast and service improvements over his 34-year career.” In August, Director Mayfield announced that he would retire this January.

Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Reorganizes: On November 16th, incoming Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) announced a major Committee reorganization. Of interest to NOAA is the creation of the Transportation Safety, Infrastructure Security and Water Quality Subcommittee. According to a press release issued by her office, the new subcommittee will have jurisdiction over the Coastal Zone Management Act, Invasive Species, and Outer Continental Shelf Lands. The subcommittee will be chaired by Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). Also, a new subcommittee on Private Sector and Consumer Solutions to Global Warming and Wildlife Protection will have jurisdiction over the Endangered Species Act. It will be chaired by Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Independent/Democrat-CT). Also Superfund issues will be handled by a new subcommittee chaired by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY). For full details:

Sen. Shelby Participates in NOAA Fisheries Red Snapper Management Meeting: On November 17th, Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and four Alabama recreational fisheries representatives met with senior NOAA Fisheries officials to discuss a proposed rule on the conservation of red snapper. Similar meetings were held with the staffs for Sens. Trent Lott (R-MS), Thad Cochran (R-MS), and Bill Nelson (D-FL).  NOAA Fisheries is finalizing the proposed interim temporary rule and intends to have it published in the Federal Register the week of November 27th. This rule would allow progress towards rebuilding this stock until the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council establishes more permanent measures to end overfishing. Representing NOAA in the meetings was NOAA Fisheries Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs Sam Rauch and Southeast Regional Administrator Roy Crabtree.

Capitol Hill Ceremony Announcing NOAA Grants to Minority-Serving Institutions: Several Congressional staff members attended a ceremony where five minority-serving institutions in New York, Maryland, Florida, North Carolina and the District of Columbia that are educating the next generation of scientists in NOAA-related fields were awarded grants totaling $62.5 million through NOAA’s Educational Partnership Program. Each center will receive $12.5 million distributed over the next five years. Representing NOAA was the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret.).