Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 80 Part 1.djvu/967

 80 STAT. ]

PUBLIC LAW 89-670-OCT. 15, 1966

931

Public Law 89-670 AN ACT To establish a Department of Transportation, and for other purposes.

October 15, 1966 [H. R. 15963]

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be °* cited as the "Department of Transportation Act". AC^!^ DECLARATION OF PURPOSE

SEC. 2. (a) The Congress hereby declares that the general welfare, the economic growth and stability of the Nation and its security require the development of national transportation policies and programs conducive to the provision of fast, safe, efficient, and convenient transportation at the lowest cost consistent therewith and with other national objectives, including the efficient utilization and conservation of the Nation's resources. (b)(1) The Congress therefore finds that the establishment of a Department of Transportation is necessary in the public interest and to assure the coordinated, effective administration of the transportation programs of the Federal Government; to facilitate the development and improvement of coordinated transportation service, to be provided by private enterprise to the maximum extent feasible; to encourage cooperation of Federal, State, and local governments, carriers, labor, and other interested parties toward the achievement of national transportation objectives; to stimulate technological advances in transportation; to provide general leadership in the identification and solution of transportation problems; and to develop and recommend to the President and the Congress for approval national transportation policies and programs to accomplish these objectives with full and appropriate consideration of the needs of the public, users, carriers, industry, labor, and the national defense. (2) I t is hereby declared to be the national policy that special effort should be made to preserve the natural beauty of the countryside and public park and recreation lands, wildlife and waterfowl refuges, and historic sites. ESTABLISHMENT OF DEPARTMENT

SEC. 3. (a) There is hereby established at the seat of government an executive department to be known as the Department of Transportation (hereafter referred to in this Act as the "Department"). There secretary. shall be at the head of the Department a Secretary of Transportation (hereafter referred to in this Act as the "Secretary"), who shall l>e appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. (b) There shall be in the Department an Under Secretary, who shall U"'^^'" secrebe appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of *^'^^' the Senate. The Under Secretary (or, during the absence or disability of the Under Secretary, or in the event of a vacancy in the office of Under Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or the General Counsel, determined according to such order as the Secretary shall prescribe) shall act for, and exercise the powers of the Secretary, during the absence or disability of the Secretary or in the event of a vacancy in the office of Secretary. The Under Secretary shall perform such functions, powers, and duties as the Secretary shall prescribe from time to time. (c) There shall be in the Department four Assistant Secretaries taJes'^^^nefaT'^^' and a General Counsel, who shall be appointed by the President, by cTounse?^"^"

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