[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 30, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69133-69134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-31007]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection


Request for Applicants for Appointment to the U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection Airport and Seaport Inspections User Fee Advisory 
Committee

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

ACTION: Committee Management: request for applicants for appointment to 
the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Airport and Seaport Inspections 
User Fee Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is requesting 
individuals who are interested in serving on the U.S. Customs and 
Border Protection Airport and Seaport Inspections User Fee Advisory 
Committee (or the Committee) to apply for appointment. The Committee 
provides advice and makes recommendations to the Commissioner of CBP on 
issues related to the performance of airport and seaport inspections 
involving agriculture, customs, and immigration concerns.

DATES: Applications for membership should reach CBP on or before March 
1, 2010.

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) 344-1969.
     Mail: Ms. Elizabeth Williamson, Program Management 
Analyst, Office of Trade Relations, Customs and Border Protection, 1300 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 5.2A, Washington, DC 20229.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Elizabeth Williamson, Program 
Management Analyst, Office of Trade Relations, U.S. Customs and Border 
Protection, (202) 344-1440, FAX (202) 344-1969.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Airport and Seaport 
Inspections User Fee Advisory Committee was established as an advisory 
committee in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. This Advisory Committee was 
originally established pursuant to section 286(k) of the Immigration 
and Nationality Act (INA), codified at title 8 U.S.C. 1356(k), which 
references the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). With the 
merger of the Immigration and Naturalization Service into the U.S. 
Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Advisory Committee's 
responsibilities were transferred from the Attorney General to the 
Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pursuant to 
section 1512(d) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

The Committee

    Purpose and Objective: The purpose of the Committee is to provide 
advice to the Commissioner of CBP and the Secretary of DHS on issues 
related to the performance of airport and seaport inspections involving 
agriculture, customs, and immigration concerns on a regular basis in an 
open and candid atmosphere. The Committee provides a critical and 
unique forum for distinguished representatives of diverse industry 
sectors to present their views and advice directly to CBP officials on 
issues concerning staffing levels, inspectional programs, and user 
fees.
    Balanced Membership Plans: The members will be selected by the

[[Page 69134]]

Commissioner of CBP (subject to approval by the Secretary of DHS) to 
represent the point of view of the airline, cruise ship, 
transportation, and other industries who may be subject to immigration 
and agriculture and/or customs inspection user fees. It is intended 
that the committee will be composed of candidates with diverse views, 
thus creating a balanced forum.

Committee Meetings

    The Committee generally meets biannually, although additional 
meetings may be scheduled. The Committee is co-chaired by the Deputy 
Assistant Commissioner for CBP's Office of Administration (formerly the 
Office of Finance), and the Deputy Assistant Commissioner for CBP's 
Office of Field Operations.

Committee Membership

    CBP is increasing the membership of this committee from the 
existing 10 members up to 15 members. New members will be appointed to 
serve a term of up to twenty-four months.
    Membership on the Committee is personal to the appointee. 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 
may be recommended for replacement on the Committee.
    Members who are currently serving on the Committee are eligible to 
re-apply for membership. A new application letter (see ADDRESSES above) 
is required, but it may incorporate reference materials previously 
filed (please attach courtesy copies).
    Members of the Airport and Seaport Inspections User Fee Advisory 
Committee will represent their respective interest groups and are not 
Special Government Employees as defined in section 202(a) of title 18, 
United States Code.
    Members will not be compensated by the Federal Government for their 
service as members of the Airport and Seaport Inspections User Fee 
Advisory Committee.

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; and
     Complete professional biography or resume.
    In support of the policy of the DHS on gender and ethnic diversity, 
qualified women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply 
for membership.

    Dated: December 23, 2009.
Jayson P. Ahern,
Acting Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
[FR Doc. E9-31007 Filed 12-29-09; 8:45 am]
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