[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 21 (Monday, February 2, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5565-5566]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01960]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health


National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Muscular 
Dystrophy Coordinating Committee Call for Committee Membership 
Nominations

SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS) is seeking nominations of individuals to serve as 
non-federal public members on the Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating 
Committee.

DATES: Nominations are due by close of business, February 27, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Nominations must be sent to Glen Nuckolls, Ph.D., by email 
to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Glen Nuckolls, Ph.D., by email to 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating 
Committee (MDCC) is a federal advisory committee established in 
accordance with the Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research, 
and Education Amendments of 2001 (MD-CARE Act; Public Law 107-84. The 
MD-CARE Act was reauthorized in 2008 by Public Law 110-361, and again 
in 2014 by Public Law 113-166. The 2014 reauthorization mandated 
changes to the membership of the MDCC, resulting in the addition of one 
public member. Nominations of non-federal public members will be 
accepted between January 30, 2015 and February 27, 2015.
    Who is Eligible: Nominations of new non-federal public members 
interested in advancing muscular dystrophy research and reducing the 
burden of disease are encouraged. Self-nominations and nominations of 
other individuals are both permitted. Only one nomination per 
individual is required. Multiple nominations for the same individual 
will not increase likelihood of selection. Non-federal public members 
may be selected from the pool of submitted nominations and other 
sources as needed to meet statutory requirements and to form a balanced 
committee that represents the diversity within the muscular dystrophy 
community. Those eligible for nomination include leaders or 
representatives of major muscular dystrophy research, advocacy, and 
service organizations, parents or guardians of individuals with 
muscular dystrophy, individuals with muscular dystrophy and service 
providers, educators, researchers, and other individuals with 
professional or personal experience with muscular dystrophy. In 
accordance with White House Office of Management and Budget guidelines 
(FR Doc. 2014-19140), federally-registered lobbyists are not eligible.
    Committee Composition: In accordance with the Committee's 
authorizing statute, \2/3\ of members of the Coordinating Committee 
shall represent government agencies and \1/3\ of members shall be 
public members ``including a broad cross section of persons affected 
with muscular dystrophies including parents or legal guardians, 
affected individuals, researchers, and clinicians.''
    The Department strives to ensure that the membership of HHS Federal 
advisory committees is fairly balanced in terms of points of view 
represented and the committee's function. Every effort is made to 
ensure that the views of women, all ethnic and racial groups,

[[Page 5566]]

and people with disabilities are represented on HHS Federal advisory 
committees and, therefore, the Department encourages nominations of 
qualified candidates from these groups. The Department also encourages 
geographic diversity in the composition of the Committee. Appointment 
to this Committee shall be made without discrimination on the basis of 
age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and 
cultural, religious, or socioeconomic status. Requests for reasonable 
accommodation to enable participation on the Committee should be 
indicated in the nomination submission.
    Member Terms: Non-Federal public members of the Committee serve for 
a term of 3 years, and may serve for an unlimited number of terms if 
reappointed. Members may serve after the expiration of their terms, 
until their successors have taken office.
    Meetings and Travel: As specified by Public Law 113-166, the MDCC 
``shall meet no fewer than two times per calendar year.'' Travel 
expenses are provided for non-federal public Committee members to 
facilitate attendance at in-person meetings. Members are expected to 
make every effort to attend all full committee meetings, twice per 
year, either in person or via remote access. Participation in relevant 
subcommittee, working and planning group meetings, and workshops, is 
also encouraged.
    Submission Instructions and Deadline: Nominations are due by COB 
February 27, 2015, and should be sent to Glen Nuckolls, Ph.D., by email 
to [email protected]. Nominations must include contact information 
for the nominee, a current curriculum vitae or resume of the nominee 
and a paragraph describing the qualifications of the person to 
represent some portion(s) of the muscular dystrophy research and 
patients communities.
    More information about the MDCC is available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/about_ninds/groups/mdcc/.

    Dated: January 25, 2015.
Walter J. Koroshetz,
Acting Director, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and 
Stroke, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 2015-01960 Filed 1-30-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-P