[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 248 (Monday, December 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71449-71450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34193]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Notice of Opportunity to Apply for Membership to the U.S. 
Automotive Parts Advisory Committee (APAC)

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is currently seeking applications 
for membership on the APAC. The purpose of the APAC is to advise 
Department of Commerce officials on issues related to U.S.-made 
automotive parts and accessories sales in Japanese and other Asian 
markets. The APAC's functions include: (1) reporting to the Secretary 
of Commerce on barriers to sales of U.S.-made automotive parts and 
accessories in Japanese and other Asian markets; (2) reviewing and 
considering data collected on sales of sales of U.S.-made automotive 
parts and accessories in Japanese and other Asian markets; (3) advising 
the Secretary of Commerce during consultations with other governments 
on issues concerning sales of U.S.-made automotive parts in Japanese 
and other Asian markets; (4) assisting in establishing priorities for 
the initiative by the Secretary of Commerce to increase the sale of 
U.S.-made automotive parts and accessories to Japanese markets, and to 
otherwise provide assistance and direction to the Secretary of Commerce 
in carrying out the intent of that initiative; and (5) assisting the 
Secretary in reporting to Congress by submitting an annual written 
report to the Secretary on the sale of U.S.-made automotive parts in 
Japanese and other Asian markets, as well as any other issues with 
respect to which the Committee provides advice pursuant to the Fair 
Trade in Automotive Parts Act of 1998, Sec. 3803 and 3804 of Pub. 
L.105-261.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Henry P. Misisco, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, International Trade Administration, Trade Development, Office 
of Automotive Affairs, (202) 482-0554.

Text

    The APAC was reauthorized to advise Department of Commerce 
officials on issues related to sales of U.S.-made auto parts in 
Japanese and other Asian markets. The Committee was originally 
established by the Secretary of Commerce on June 6, 1989, pursuant to 
the Fair Trade in Auto Parts Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100-418 to advise 
Department of Commerce officials on issues related to sales of U.S.-
made auto parts to Japanese markets. The APAC functions as an advisory 
body in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 15 U.S.C. 
App. 2 and Department of Commerce policies on advisory committees. 
Authority for the committee is found in the Fair Trade in Auto Parts 
Act of 1998, sections 3803 and 3804 of Pub. L. 105-261 (October 17, 
1998).
    The Office of Automotive Affairs is accepting applications for 
private sector members to begin serving after the Committee's charter 
becomes effective. An existing member may be reappointed only if he or 
she has reapplied and has been accepted through the normal recruitment 
and selection process. An existing member may reapply for membership by 
submitting a letter requesting that he or she be considered for a 
membership position, and any supplemental information necessary to 
update his or her previous application for membership. Private sector 
representatives will be appointed to serve until the APAC charter 
expires in 2001. Members will be selected who will best carry out the 
objectives of the Fair Trade in Automotive Parts Act of 1998. Each APAC 
member must also serve as the representative of a ``U.S. entity'' 
engaged in the manufacture of automotive parts or the provision of a 
related service (including retailing and other distribution services), 
or an association of such entities. A U.S. entity is a firm 
incorporated in the United States (or an unincorporated U.S. firm with 
its principal place of business in the United States) that is 
controlled by U.S. citizens or by another U.S. entity. An entity is not 
a U.S. entity if 50 percent plus one share of its stock (if a 
corporation, or a similar ownership interest of an unincorporated 
entity) is

[[Page 71450]]

controlled, directly or indirectly, by non-U.S. citizens or non-U.S. 
entities.
    Secondary selection criteria will ensure that the committee has a 
balanced representation of the auto parts industry in terms of point of 
view, demographics, geography and company size. APAC members are 
selected on the basis of their experience and knowledge of conditions 
and problems in automotive parts markets. Members will serve at the 
discretion of the Secretary.
    Private sector members will serve in a representative capacity 
presenting the views and interests of the particular automotive sector 
in which they operate. Private sector members are not special 
government employees, and will receive no compensation for their 
participation in APAC activities. Members participating in APAC 
meetings and events will be responsible for their travel, living and 
other personal expenses. Meetings are held approximately four times a 
year, usually in Washington, DC. The next APAC meeting date has not yet 
been determined.
    To be considered for membership, please provide the following: name 
and title of the individual requesting consideration; a letter of 
recommendation containing a brief statement of why each candidate 
should be considered for membership on the APAC that includes the 
individual's export experience, along with a personal resume; a 
statement that the applicant is a not a registered foreign agent under 
the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended; the company's 
product or service line and major markets; and the size and ownership 
of the company. All APAC members must obtain a U.S. Government security 
clearance.

    Dated: December 15, 1998.
Henry P. Misisco,
Director, Office of Automotive Affairs.
[FR Doc. 98-34193 Filed 12-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P