[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 111 (Monday, June 10, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39785-39786]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14518]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Office of the Secretary


Notice of Establishment of a Commission

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, DOT.

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SUMMARY: This notice informs the public of the establishment of the 
National Commission To Ensure Consumer Information and Choice in the 
Airline Industry, in accordance with Section 228 of the Wendell H. Ford 
Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21), Pub. 
L. 106-181.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Richard J. Fahy, Jr., Executive 
Director, at 1110 Vermont Avenue, NW., Suite 1160, Washington, DC 
20005.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    AIR-21 authorized the Commission to study: (a) Whether the 
financial condition of travel agents is declining and, if so, the 
effect of such a decline on consumers and, (b) whether there are 
impediments to information regarding the services and products offered 
by the airline industry, and, if so, the effects of those impediments 
on travel agents, Internet-based distributors, and consumers. A special 
focus of the study is the condition of smaller travel agencies (less 
than $1 million in annual revenues). Based on the results of its study, 
the Commission is to make

[[Page 39786]]

recommendations to improve the condition of travel agents, especially 
smaller travel agents, and to enhance consumer access to travel 
information. The Commission's report is due November 16, 2002.
    On May 16, 2002, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta 
announced the establishment of this Commission and the selection of 
David L. Winstead, a Washington attorney and a former Maryland 
Secretary of Transportation, as the chair. Mr. Winstead is a former 
chairman of the Maryland Aviation Commission, and was President of the 
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials 
(AASHTO) in 1998. The Secretary also named Patrick V. Murphy, Jr., and 
Maryles Casto to serve on the commission. Mr. Murphy is a former Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation, and is currently a principal at Gerchick-
Murphy Associates, a Washington consulting firm. He currently 
represents United Airlines, JetBlue, and United Parcel Service. Ms. 
Casto is President and CEO of Casto Travel, Inc. of Santa Clara, 
California, the largest travel agency in the Silicon Valley.
    Members of Congress previously appointed the following 
commissioners:
     Mr. Ted R. Lawson, President and CEO of National Travel, 
Inc. in Charleston, West Virginia, appointed by Senate Majority Leader 
Tom Daschle.
     Dr. Ann B. Mitchell, President and Owner of Carlson 
Wagonlit/Travel First, Inc. in Starkville, Mississippi, appointed by 
Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott.
     Ms. Joyce Rogge, Senior Vice President-Marketing at 
Southwest Airlines in Dallas, appointed by Senator Lott.
     Mr. Paul M. Ruden, Senior Vice President for Legal and 
Industry Affairs for the American Society of Travel Agents in 
Washington, appointed by House Speaker Dennis Hastert.
     Mr. Gerald J. Roper, President and CEO of the Chicagoland 
Chamber of Commerce, appointed by Speaker Hastert.
     Mr. Thomas P. Dunne, Sr., Chairman, CEO and President of 
the construction company Fred Weber, Inc., and a professional engineer 
in Maryland Heights, Missouri, appointed by House Minority Leader 
Richard Gephardt.
    The Commission will hold its first public hearing on Wednesday, 
June 12, starting promptly at 10:00 AM in the Hemisphere--A Conference 
Room, Ronald Building at 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. 
Other hearings are planned for June 26 in Chicago, and July 11 in San 
Francisco. Public comments may be submitted to the Commission at the 
Commission's offices.
    The Commission's offices are located at 1110 Vermont Avenue NW., 
Suite 1160, Washington, DC 20005. The Executive Director of the 
Commission is Mr. Richard J. Fahy, Jr. Mr. Fahy is a graduate of Yale 
Law School and is a former Associate General Counsel with American 
Airlines. Recently, he served as Senior Vice President and General 
Counsel of Vacation.Com, Inc., the largest travel agency industry 
consortium with over 9000 members.

    Dated: June 4, 2002.
Douglas V. Leister,
Executive Assistant.
[FR Doc. 02-14518 Filed 6-7-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-62-P