[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 22 (Friday, February 1, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6196-6197]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1944]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection


Request for Applicants for Appointment to the Departmental 
Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border 
Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC)

AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS).

ACTION: Committee Management; request for applicants for appointment to 
the Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs 
and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC).

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SUMMARY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is requesting 
individuals who are interested in serving on the Departmental Advisory 
Committee on Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and 
Related Homeland Security Functions (COAC) to apply for appointment. 
COAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Commissioner of 
CBP, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Secretary of the Treasury on 
all matters involving the commercial operations of CBP and related DHS 
functions.

DATES: Applications for membership should reach CBP on or before April 
1, 2008.

ADDRESSES: If you wish to apply for membership, your application should 
be sent to CBP by one of the following methods:
     E-mail: [email protected].
     Facsimile: (202) 344-2064.
     Mail: Ms. Wanda J. Tate, Program Management Analyst, 
Office of International Affairs and Trade Relations, U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 8.5C, 
Washington, DC 20229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Wanda J. Tate, Program Management 
Analyst, Office of International Affairs and Trade Relations, U.S. 
Customs and Border Protection, (202) 344-1440, Fax (202) 344-2064.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Departmental Advisory Committee on 
Commercial Operations of Customs and Border Protection and Related 
Homeland Security Functions (COAC) is an advisory committee established 
in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(5 U.S.C., app.).
    Purpose and Objective: The purpose of the Committee is to provide 
advice to the Commissioner of Customs and Border Protection, the 
Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Secretary of the Treasury on 
all matters involving the commercial operations of Customs and Border 
Protection (CBP) and related functions within the Department of 
Homeland Security (DHS) or Treasury, and to submit an annual report to 
Congress describing its operations and setting forth any 
recommendations. The Committee provides a critical and unique forum for 
distinguished representatives of diverse industry sectors to present 
their views and advice directly to senior Treasury, DHS, and CBP 
officials. This is done on a regular basis in an open and candid 
atmosphere.
    Balanced Membership Plans: The members will be selected by the 
Commissioner of CBP (subject to approval by the Secretary of Homeland 
Security and the Secretary of the Treasury) from representatives of the 
trade and transportation community that do business with CBP, or others 
who are directly affected by CBP commercial operations and related 
functions. In addition, members will represent major regions of the 
country, and, by statute, not more than ten of the Committee's members 
may be affiliated with the same political party.

Background

    In the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (Pub. L. 100-203), 
Congress directed the Secretary of the Treasury to create an Advisory 
Committee on Commercial Operations of the U.S. Customs Service (now 
CBP). The Committee is to consist of twenty members drawn from industry 
sectors affected by CBP commercial operations with balanced political 
party affiliations. The Committee's first two-year charter was filed on 
October 17, 1988, and the Committee has been

[[Page 6197]]

renewed for subsequent two-year terms nine times since then.
    With the creation of DHS, the Secretary of the Treasury delegated a 
joint chair and Committee management role to the Secretary of Homeland 
Security (see Treasury Department Order No. 100-16, 19 CFR Part 0 
Appx.). In Delegation Number 7010.3 (May, 2006), the Secretary of 
Homeland Security delegated to the Commissioner of CBP the authority to 
preside jointly with Treasury over the meetings of the Committee, to 
make appointments (subject to approval of the Secretary of Homeland 
Security) to COAC jointly with Treasury, and to receive COAC advice.
    It is expected that, during its eleventh two-year term, the 
Committee will consider issues relating to enhanced border and cargo 
supply chain security. COAC will continue to provide advice and report 
on matters such as CBP modernization and automation, informed 
compliance and compliance assessment, account-based processing, 
commercial enforcement and uniformity, international efforts to 
harmonize customs practices and procedures, strategic planning, 
northern border and southern border issues, and relationships with 
foreign customs authorities.

Committee Meetings

    The Committee meets at least once each quarter, although additional 
meetings may be scheduled. Generally, every other meeting of the 
Committee may be held outside of Washington, DC, usually at a CBP port 
of entry.

Committee Membership

    Membership on the Committee is personal to the appointee and is 
concurrent with the two-year duration of the charter for the eleventh 
term. Under the Charter, a member may not send an alternate to 
represent him or her at a Committee meeting. However, since Committee 
meetings are open to the public, another person from a member's 
organization may attend and observe the proceedings in a 
nonparticipating capacity. Regular attendance is essential; the Charter 
provides that a member who is absent for two consecutive meetings or 
two meetings in a calendar year shall be recommended for replacement on 
the Committee.
    No person who is required to register under the Foreign Agents 
Registration Act as an agent or representative of a foreign principal 
may serve on this advisory committee.
    Members who are currently serving on the Committee are eligible to 
re-apply for membership provided that they are not in their second 
consecutive term and that they have met attendance requirements. A new 
application letter (see ADDRESSES above) is required, but it may 
incorporate by reference materials previously filed (please attach 
courtesy copies).
    Members will not be paid compensation by the Federal Government for 
their services with respect to the COAC.

Application for Advisory Committee Appointment

    There is no prescribed format for the application. Applicants may 
send a letter describing their interest and qualifications and enclose 
a resume.
    Any interested person wishing to serve on the Committee must 
provide the following:
     Statement of interest and reasons for application;
     Complete professional biography or resume;
     Political affiliation, in order to ensure balanced 
representation (mandatory). If no party registration or allegiance 
exists, indicate ``independent'' or ``unaffiliated''.
    In addition, all applicants must state in their applications that 
they agree to submit to pre-appointment background and tax checks 
(mandatory). However, a national security clearance is not required for 
the position.
    In support of the policy of DHS on gender and ethnic diversity, 
qualified women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply 
for membership.

    Dated: January 30, 2008.
W. Ralph Basham,
Commissioner, Customs and Border Protection.
 [FR Doc. E8-1944 Filed 1-31-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P