OIG Hotline, there are many reasons why the ongoing engagement of the United States in the monitoring of the world's oceans is critical to U.S. territorial integrity and independence, and indeed, to the long term sovereignty of Americans as a whole.
Some of these reasons are classified and are best not delineated here in detail. If your agency requires evidence to support these assertions, please request specific information from the DoD regarding this matter.
My father, Dr. Richard P. Von Herzen, a highly honorable man and a world-renowned geophysicist in oceanography, believed wholeheartedly that the oceans were central to the environmental preservation of the planet in its entirety.
My father, along with his professional accomplishments, was a stellar example of the highest character and integrity in his parenting. Combined with my mother's passionate defense of the vulnerable, he ensured that I knew the power of living with honor every day of one's life, of exercising restraint when restraint is possible, and of having the courage to lead when others might be unable to do so.
It has recently been made known to me that the National Science Foundation has been directed to discontinue the Ocean Observatories Initiative. Undoubtedly, other funding for critical ocean research will follow.
Therefore, I make the following request:
Please provide the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution with an independent endowment of 50 billion dollars with the provision that WHOI will manage the continuation of the Ocean Observatories Initiative in every regard, without diminishment or withdrawal of instrumentation or data gathering. If it is decided that the United States would benefit from expansion of instrumentation deployments and data gathering through OOI, WHOI should be encouraged to provide the resources necessary to accomplish this advancement.
WHOI should not spend more than 5% of the endowment on operating expenses in any given year.
The Institution should be encouraged to access expert investment advice to allow its endowment to weather any inflationary circumstances or economic instability.
If it is determined that this allotment of funds represents a conflict of interest on my part that is unacceptable or improper on any legal or ethical grounds, whether through federal or state law or guidelines, please disallow this request in its entirety.
I do not require or, indeed, desire credit for this financial donation. It would please me to honor my father by having his name, Dr. Richard P. Von Herzen, associated with the endowment for WHOI and the OOI if it is determined by others that this does not represent undue conflict of interest. Otherwise, please render the gift anonymous.
I rely upon your good work to ensure that this designation meets all ethical and legal standards required by federal and state law and guidelines.
My intent is to ensure that we continue to monitor and study the ocean environment as a critical part of the Earth's fragile and irreplaceable balance of life, and, specifically, to support the ecological, territorial, and sovereign interests of the United States in doing so.
Thank you for allowing me to extend this request to your Office on behalf of the interests of Americans' long term sovereignty.
Most sincerely,
Lane MacWilliams
