[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 206 (Wednesday, October 26, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-26560]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 26, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Customs Service
[ADM-9-03:CO:R:IT:R 912245 GRV]

 

Notice of Grant Money for the Establishment of a Center for the 
Study of Western Hemispheric Trade in Texas

AGENCY: U.S. Customs Service, Department of the Treasury.

ACTION: General notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of application packages 
for institutions (or a consortium of institutions) located in the State 
of Texas interested in grant money for the planning, establishment, and 
operation of a Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade. 
Application packages will be sent to those institutions that wish to be 
considered in the award of the grant money.

DATES: Requests for application packages will be accepted through 
November 25, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Requests for application packages should be sent to the 
Procurement Services Division, ATTN: Ms. Kim Doherty, Room 1438, 
Department of Treasury, 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., 
Washington, D.C. 20220; FAX (202) 622-2343.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: At Customs: Mr. James Picard, (202) 
927-2059; at Treasury: Mr. Phillip Casteel (Grant Officer) (202) 622-
1300.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Pursuant to authority contained in Public Law 103-182 (107 Stat. 
2057, codified at 19 U.S.C. 3301 note), Customs, with offices of the 
Department of the Treasury, announce a competition for $10,000,000 in 
grant money to assist an institution (or consortium of institutions) in 
the State of Texas in the planning, establishment, and operation of a 
Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade (Center). The Center 
is to conduct year-round programs that promote and study trade between 
and among Western Hemisphere countries. This notice is to obtain a list 
of interested Texas institutions that wish to be considered in the 
award of the grant money.
    Once the list is compiled, Customs will establish a committee to 
develop criteria for evaluating eligible institutions, and the 
Commissioner of Customs will begin consulting with appropriate 
officials of the State of Texas and private sector authorities with 
respect to selecting, planning, and establishing the Center. 
Consideration will be given to an institution's ability to carry out 
the Center's designated programs and activities and to any resources 
the institution can provide the Center in addition to any Federal funds 
provided.
    The grant program is described as follows:
    1. Grant sum: $10,000,000
    2. Effective date: Date of award
    3. Completion date (funding): Fiscal Year 1997
    4. Program description: The purpose of this grant is to provide 
support to Grantee's planning, establishing, and operating a Center for 
the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade (Center). It is understood that 
the grant will support the Grantee's activities from the effective date 
of the grant or as may be otherwise provided in the grant Schedule, and 
that the Center shall be established not later than [February 1,] 1995.
    The government's support is based on the provision that the Center 
shall be a year-round program which will promote and study trade 
between and among Western Hemisphere countries (Canada, the United 
States, Mexico, countries located in South America, beneficiary 
countries (as defined by Section 212 of the Caribbean Basin Economic 
Recovery Act, 19 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.), the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 
and the United States Virgin Islands).

Scope of the Center

    The Center is expected to conduct activities designed to examine--
    (1) the impact of the NAFTA on the economies in, and trade within, 
the Western Hemisphere;
    (2) the negotiation of any future free trade agreements, including 
possible accessions to the NAFTA; and,
    (3) adjusting tariffs, reducing nontariff barriers, improving 
relations among customs officials, and promoting economic relations 
among countries in the Western Hemisphere.

Programs and Activities of the Center

    The Center is expected to conduct the following activities:
    (1) Provide forums for international discussion and debate for 
representatives from Western Hemisphere countries regarding issues 
which affect trade and other economic relations within the hemisphere;
    (2) Conduct studies and research projects on subjects which affect 
Western Hemisphere trade, to include tariffs, customs, regional and 
national economics, business development and finance, production and 
personnel management, manufacturing, agriculture, engineering, 
transportation, immigration, telecommunications, medicine, science, 
urban studies, border demographics, social anthropology, and 
population;
    (3) Publish materials, disseminating information, and conducting 
seminars and conferences to support and educate representatives from 
countries in the Western Hemisphere who seek to do business with or 
invest in other Western Hemisphere countries; (grants made may provide 
that reasonable fees may be charged for attendance at such seminars and 
conferences and for copies of Center-published documents, studies, and 
reports);
    (4) Provide grants, fellowships, endowed chairs, and financial 
assistance to outstanding scholars and authorities from Western 
Hemisphere countries;
    (5) Provide grants, fellowships, and other financial assistance to 
qualified graduate students, from Western Hemisphere countries, to 
study at the Center; and,
    (6) Implement academic exchange programs and other cooperative 
research and instructional agreements with the complementary North/
South Center at the University of Miami at Coral Gables.
    Institutions interested in being considered for the award of the 
grant money should request an application package from the U.S. Customs 
Service, ATTN: James Picard, Office of International Affairs, 1301 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20229. The letter should be 
received by Customs by the date set forth at the beginning of this 
notice.

    Dated: October 20, 1994.
Michael H. Lane,
Acting Commissioner of Customs.
[FR Doc. 94-26560 Filed 10-25-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P