Symposium on Unidentified Flying Objects: Hearings Before the Committee on Science and Astronautics, U.S. House of Representatives, July 29, 1968

On July 29, 1968, the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Science and Astronautics convened a one-day symposium on Unidentified Flying Objects, chaired by Congressman J. Edward Roush. This event followed two previous open hearings on the subject, including one by the House Armed Services Committee in 1966. The symposium was organized to provide a forum for serious scientific discussion regarding the UFO phenomenon, which had been a subject of intense public interest and debate for two decades. The symposium featured presentations from six prominent scientists: Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Prof. James E. McDonald, Dr. Carl Sagan, Dr. Robert L. Hall, Dr. James A. Harder, and Dr. Robert M. L. Baker, Jr. These scientists represented a spectrum of expertise, including astronomy, meteorology, sociology, and engineering. Their presentations covered various aspects of the UFO problem, including the need for rigorous data collection, the challenges of witness credibility, the potential for extraterrestrial origins, and the role of psychological factors such as mass hysteria. Dr. Hynek, a long-time consultant to the Air Force, argued that the UFO phenomenon was worthy of serious scientific attention and that the scientific community had been hampered by a taboo against studying the subject. Prof. McDonald advocated for the extraterrestrial hypothesis, citing numerous well-investigated cases that he believed defied conventional explanation. Dr. Sagan provided a cosmic perspective, emphasizing the vastness of the universe and the statistical likelihood of other civilizations, while cautioning against jumping to conclusions without hard evidence. Dr. Hall discussed the sociological and psychological dimensions, noting that the UFO phenomenon had become a system of belief that was often resistant to evidence. Dr. Harder and Dr. Baker focused on the technical aspects, including propulsion and the need for better instrumentation to capture data. The symposium also included written statements from other scientists, such as Dr. Donald H. Menzel, who remained a staunch skeptic. The proceedings reflect the tension between the public's desire for answers and the scientific community's cautious, often skeptical, approach. The symposium did not result in a definitive conclusion but served as a significant, albeit singular, effort by Congress to engage with the scientific community on the UFO issue. Following the symposium, the defeat of Congressman Roush in the next election marked the end of such public hearings on the subject for the remainder of the period covered by the document.