[Federal Register: March 1, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 39)]
[Notices]
[Page 9916-9918]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01mr05-34]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. 050214038-5038-01]
Strengthening America's Communities Advisory Committee
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of request for nominations.
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SUMMARY: On February 9, 2005, the President's Domestic Policy Council
requested the Secretary of Commerce (the ``Secretary'') to form the
Strengthening America's Communities Advisory Committee (the
``Committee''). The objectives and duties of the Committee will be to
provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary, and to develop a
comprehensive written report of policy parameters to assist in
implementing the President's Strengthening America's Communities
Initiative (the ``Initiative''), including advising on its legislation,
regulations and other guidance. The Committee's report will encompass
all aspects of the envisioned Initiative, including policy findings and
declarations, organizational structure, eligibility, program delivery,
monitoring and performance measures. The Committee is expected to
deliver its report to the Secretary by May 31, 2005.
[[Page 9917]]
This notice seeks nominations for persons to serve on the
Committee. The Committee is intended to have a balanced membership from
diverse backgrounds and geographical regions, including the private
sector, state, local and tribal government officials, community-based
organizations, academia and the research community. Nominees should
possess an extensive knowledge of, and background in, the fields of
rural or urban economic, social and community development. Nominees
should also possess economic, social and community development policy
experience, leadership and organizational skills. The SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section of this notice provides additional Committee and
membership information, as well as the evaluation criteria for
selecting members and the specific instructions for submitting
nominations.
DATES: Nominations must be received by the Department of Commerce at
the address listed below no later than 4 p.m. (e.s.t.) on March 11,
2005.
ADDRESSES: Nominations pursuant to this Request for Nominations may be
submitted by (i) postal mail, (ii) facsimile, or (iii) e-mail. Please
submit nominations by postal mail to David A. Sampson, Assistant
Secretary for Economic Development, Economic Development
Administration, Department of Commerce, Room 7800, 1401 Constitution
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230. Nominations may be submitted via
facsimile to (202) 273-4723; all facsimiles should be addressed to the
attention of Assistant Secretary for Economic Development David A.
Sampson. E-mail submissions must be addressed to saci@eda.doc.gov and
should include all nomination materials (including attachments) in a
single transmission. The Department strongly encourages applicants to
submit nominations by facsimile or e-mail. Nominations sent by regular
mail may be substantially delayed in delivery, since all regular mail
sent to the Department is subject to extensive security screening.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Office of Chief Counsel, Economic
Development Administration, Department of Commerce, Room 7005, 1401
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington DC 20230, telephone (202) 482-
4687.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 3, 2005, the Secretary of
Commerce and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development jointly
announced the Initiative. The Initiative proposes to transfer and
consolidate 18 Federal economic and community development programs from
the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Health and Human Services,
Housing and Urban Development and Treasury within the Department of
Commerce (the ``Department''), ultimately comprising a $3.71 billion
unified grant program.
By letter dated February 9, 2005, the President's Domestic Policy
Council requested the Secretary to form the Committee. The Department
is forming the Committee pursuant to this letter and under the
authority of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (``FACA'')
(5 U.S.C. App. 2). The following provides information about the
Committee, its membership and the nomination process.
Objectives and Duties
The objectives and duties of the Committee will be to provide
advice and recommendations to the Secretary, and to develop a
comprehensive written report of policy parameters to assist in
implementing the Initiative, including advising on its legislation,
regulations and other guidance. The Committee's report will encompass
all aspects of the envisioned Initiative, including policy findings and
declarations, organizational structure, eligibility, program delivery,
monitoring and performance measures. The Committee is expected to
deliver its report to the Secretary by May 31, 2005, although this time
frame may change. Thereafter, the Committee may be asked to advise the
Secretary on additional matters relating to the Initiative.
Membership
Members of the Committee are appointed by and serve at the
discretion of the Secretary. It is expected that the committee will
consist of no more than 25 members. No employee of the Federal
government may serve as a member of the Committee. The Secretary will
designate a member or members to serve as the Chairperson or Co-
Chairpersons of the Committee. Members are expected to serve for the
full tenure of the Committee, expected to last two years. The Committee
intends to have a balanced membership from diverse backgrounds and
geographical regions, including the private sector, State, local and
tribal government officials, urban or rural community-based
organizations, academia and the research community. Members should
possess an extensive background in the fields of economic, social and
community skills in these fields. Meeting attendance and active
participation in the activities of the Committee are essential.
Administrative Provisions
Members shall serve without compensation, but shall be allowed
reimbursement for reasonable, Committee-related travel expenses,
including a per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by 5 U.S.C.
5703 (as amended) for persons serving intermittently in Federal
government service. Members must undergo a criminal background check.
Members will serve as ``special government employees'' (``SGEs'') and
must comply with certain Federal ethics statutes and regulations, which
include completing a confidential financial disclosure form to identify
any conflicts of interest (or appearances thereof) between the
individual's financial affiliations and holdings and his or her service
on the Committee. Meetings shall be held at the call of the Chairperson
or Co-Chairpersons (with the approval of the Designated Federal Officer
(``DFO'')) until the Committee presents its comprehensive report to the
Secretary; thereafter, the Committee will meet at the call of the Chair
(with the approval of the DFO) at least annually. The Department and
its various operating units shall provide the Committee with
administrative and staff services, support and facilities to the extent
necessary for the Committee to fulfill its objectives and duties and to
the extent permitted by law. Once the Committee is officially formed,
the full text of the Committee Charter may be viewed on the
Department's Web site at http://www.doc.gov.
Evaluation Criteria and Application Procedure
This notice requests nominations of persons to serve on the
Committee. The Secretary may also consider nominations from sources
other than this Request for Nominations. Self-nominations are
acceptable. Nominations submitted from sources other than this Request
for Nominations will be evaluated under the same evaluation criteria as
those submitted in response to this Request for Nominations. In
evaluating nominations, the Secretary shall consider the nominee's (i)
technical expertise, educational background, policy roles and
leadership skills in the fields of rural or urban economic, social and
community development, (ii) experience in working with public-private
partnerships and grant-based economic development, and (iii) such other
experience and backgrounds as
[[Page 9918]]
the Secretary deems relevant for service on the Committee.
Each nomination submission pursuant to this Request for Nominations
must include: (i) The proposed Committee member's name, address,
telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address (if available) and
organizational affiliation (if any); (ii) a cover letter describing the
nominee's qualifications and interest in serving on the Committee;
(iii) the nominee's curriculum vitae or resume; and (iv) no more than
three supporting letters describing the nominee's qualifications and
interest in serving on the Committee. Nominations must be received no
later than 4 p.m. (e.s.t.) on March 11, 2005. See ADDRESSES for the
address, facsimile number and e-mail address where nominations may be
submitted.
Privacy Act
Section 301 of Title 5 United States Code and 15 CFR part 4,
subpart B authorize and govern collection of this information. The
primary use of this information is to allow officials of the Department
of Commerce and its operating units to review applications and to
conduct vetting of applicants to make decisions concerning the
nomination or renomination of candidates for membership on the Advisory
Committee. Records may be disclosed under the following routine use
circumstances: (1) To any Federal, State, or local agency maintaining
civil, criminal, or other relevant enforcement information, if
necessary to obtain information relevant to a Department decision
concerning the assignment, hiring, or retention of an individual; the
issuance of a security clearance; the letting of a contract; or the
issuance of a license, grant, or benefit. (2) To any Federal, State,
local, or foreign agency charged with the responsibility of
investigating or prosecuting any violation or potential violation of
law or contract; whether civil, criminal, or regulatory in nature; and
whether arising by general statute or particular program statute; or
contract, rule, regulation, or order, to protect the interests of the
Department. (3) To any Federal, State, local, or international agency,
in response to its request, in connection with the assignment, hiring,
or retention of an individual, the issuance of a security clearance,
the reporting of an investigation of an individual, the letting of a
contract, or any other benefit of the requesting agency, to the extent
that the information is relevant and necessary to the requesting
agency's decisions on the matter. (4) To a Member of Congress
submitting a request involving an individual when the individual has
requested assistance from the Member with respect to the subject matter
of the record. (5) To the Department of Justice in connection with
determining whether disclosure is of the record is required under the
Freedom of Information Act.
Collection of this information, including your Social Security
number is voluntary but failure to furnish it will result in your
application not being considered. Collection of your Social Security
number is authorized under Executive Order No. 9397. The Department
will use this number to distinguish you from other members of the
public who may have the same or similar name.
Dated: February 24, 2005.
Theodore W. Kassinger,
Deputy Secretary of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 05-3976 Filed 2-28-05; 8:45 am]
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