[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 11 (Thursday, January 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 2317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-986]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


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

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, DOC.

ACTION: Notice.

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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 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 to increase sales 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, sections 3803 and 3804 of Pub. L. 105-261.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The APAC was originally established pursuant 
to the Fair Trade in Auto Parts Act of 1988, sections 2121 to 2125 of 
Public Law 100-418, to advise the Secretary of Commerce on issues 
related to sales of U.S.-made auto parts to Japanese markets. The 
Committee was reauthorized by the Fair Trade in Auto Parts Act of 1998, 
sections 3803 and 3804 of Pub. L. 105-261, to advise the Secretary of 
Commerce on issues related to sales of U.S.-made auto parts in Japanese 
and other Asian markets. The APAC functions as an advisory committee in 
accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 15 U.S.C. App. 2 
and Department of Commerce policies on advisory committees.
    The Office of Automotive Affairs is accepting applications for 
private sector members to begin serving after the Committee's charter 
is renewed, which is expected to be in late January 2003. 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 new APAC charter expires on December 31, 
2003. 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 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.

ADDRESSES: Submit application information to Henry Misisco, Director, 
Office of Automotive Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 4036, 
Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Henry P. Misisco, (202) 482-0554.

    Dated: January 7, 2003.
Henry Misisco,
Director, Office of Automotive Affairs.
[FR Doc. 03-986 Filed 1-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P