Request for Nominations Based on Updated Membership Criteria for the Trade Advisory Committee on Africa, 53093-53094 [2014-21126]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 172 / Friday, September 5, 2014 / Notices
why the applicant should be considered
for membership.
3. Applicant’s personal resume.
4. An affirmative statement that the
applicant and, if applicable, the NonFederal governmental entity the
applicant represents, meets all
eligibility requirements.
Applicants who meet the eligibility
criteria will be considered for
membership based on the following
factors: Ability to represent the
sponsoring non-Federal governmental
entity’s interests on trade matters;
knowledge of and experience in trade
matters relevant to the work of the
IGPAC; and ensuring that IGPAC
members are appointed from and are
reasonably representative of U.S. nonFederal governmental entities.
Dated: August 29, 2014.
Jewel James,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative,
Intergovernmental Affairs and Public
Engagement.
[FR Doc. 2014–21123 Filed 9–4–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290–F4–P
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES
TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Request for Nominations Based on
Updated Membership Criteria for the
Trade Advisory Committee on Africa
Office of the United States
Trade Representative.
ACTION: Request for Nominations;
Amendment of Membership Criteria.
AGENCY:
This notice amends the Trade
Advisory Committee on Africa
(TACA)—Charter Renewal and
Nominations for Membership Notice of
March 18, 2014 (79 FR 15201) to revise
the membership eligibility criteria
pursuant to the Revised Guidance on
the Appointment of Lobbyists to Federal
Advisory Committees, Boards and
Commissions, published by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) on
August 13, 2014. Federally-registered
lobbyists are no longer prohibited from
serving on the TACA in a representative
capacity in light of OMB’s recent policy
clarification that the eligibility
restriction does not apply to advisory
committee members who are
specifically appointed to represent the
interests of a nongovernmental entity, a
recognizable group of persons or
nongovernmental entities (an industry
sector, labor unions, environmental
groups, etc.), or state or local
governments. The lobbyist prohibition
continues to apply to persons serving on
advisory committees in their individual
capacity. The United States Trade
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:29 Sep 04, 2014
Jkt 232001
Representative now will consider
nominations of federally-registered
lobbyists for appointment to the TACA
as members who serve in a
representative capacity. All other
eligibility criteria continue to apply.
DATES: These revised membership
criteria are effective immediately.
Nominations for membership to the
TACA (including self-nominations) will
be accepted on a rolling basis.
ADDRESSES: Submit nominations to Julia
Friedman, Attorney-Advisor for the
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and
Public Engagement, at iape@
ustr.eop.gov. For alternatives to email
submission, please contact Julia
Friedman at (202) 395–6120.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julia
Friedman, Attorney-Advisor for the
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and
Public Engagement, at (202) 395–6120.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974,
as amended (19 U.S.C. 2155),
established a trade advisory system to
ensure that U.S. trade policy and trade
negotiation objectives adequately reflect
U.S. commercial and economic
interests. Section 135(a)(1) directs the
President to: Seek information and
advice from representative elements of
the private sector and the non-Federal
governmental sector with respect to:
(A) Negotiating objectives and
bargaining positions before entering into
a trade agreement under [title I of the
Trade Act of 1974 and section 2103 of
the Bipartisan Trade Promotion
Authority Act of 2002];
(B) The operation of any trade
agreement once entered into, including
preparation for dispute settlement panel
proceedings to which the United States
is a party; and
(C) Other matters arising in
connection with the development,
implementation, and administration of
the trade policy of the United States.
Section 135(c)(1) of the 1974 Trade
Act provides that: [t]he President may
establish individual general policy
advisory committees for industry, labor,
agriculture, services, investment,
defense, and other interests, as
appropriate, to provide general policy
advice on matters referred to in [Section
135(a)]. Such committees shall, insofar
as is practicable, be representative of all
industry, labor, agricultural, service,
investment, defense, and other interests,
respectively, including small business
interests, and shall be organized by the
United States Trade Representative and
PO 00000
Frm 00079
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
53093
the Secretaries of Commerce, Defense,
Labor, Agriculture, the Treasury, or
other executive departments, as
appropriate. The members of such
committees shall be appointed by the
United States Trade Representative in
consultation with such Secretaries.
Section 14 of the AGOA Acceleration
Act of 2004 directs the President to
convene the TACA ‘‘in order to facilitate
the goals and objectives of the African
Growth and Opportunity Act and this
Act, and to maintain ongoing
discussions with African trade and
agricultural ministries and private
sector organizations on issues of mutual
concern, including regional and
international trade concerns and World
Trade Organization issues.’’ Pursuant to
these provisions, the Office of the U.S.
Trade Representative established the
TACA.
Functions
The duties of the TACA are to provide
the President, through the United States
Trade Representative, policy advice on
issues involving trade and development
in sub-Saharan Africa. The TACA will
meet as needed at the call of the United
States Trade Representative or his
designee depending on various factors
such as the level of activity of trade
negotiations and the needs of the United
States Trade Representative, or at the
call of two-thirds of the TACA members.
Membership
Members serve without compensation
and are responsible for all expenses
incurred to attend the meetings. TACA
members are appointed by the United
States Trade Representative.
Appointments are made at the
chartering of the TACA and periodically
throughout the four-year charter term,
which ends on March 17, 2018, unless
otherwise extended. Members serve at
the discretion of the United States Trade
Representative. Members are selected to
represent their sponsoring U.S. entity’s
interests on sub-Saharan African trade
matters, and thus nominees are
considered foremost based upon their
ability to carry out the goals of section
135(c) of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended. Other criteria are the
nominee’s knowledge of and expertise
in international trade issues as relevant
to the work of the TACA. While all or
almost all TACA members will
represent their sponsoring U.S. entities’
interests, it is possible that the United
States Trade Representative may
appoint members who serve in an
individual capacity as subject matter
experts. Appointments to the TACA are
made without regard to political
affiliation with an interest in ensuring
E:\FR\FM\05SEN1.SGM
05SEN1
53094
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 172 / Friday, September 5, 2014 / Notices
rmajette on DSK2TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
balance in terms of sectors,
demographics, and other factors
relevant to the TACA’s needs.
Request for Nominations
The Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative is soliciting nominations
for membership on the TACA. To be
appointed to the TACA, the following
eligibility criteria must be met:
1. The applicant must be a U.S.
citizen.
2. The applicant must not be a fulltime employee of a U.S. governmental
entity.
3. If serving in an individual capacity,
the applicant must not be a federallyregistered lobbyist.
4. The applicant must not be
registered with the U.S. Department of
Justice under the Foreign Agents
Registration Act;
5. The applicant must be able to
obtain and maintain a security
clearance.
6. For representative members, who
will comprise the overwhelming
majority of the TACA, the applicant
must represent a U.S. organization
whose members (or funders) have a
demonstrated interest in issues relevant
to trade and development in subSaharan Africa or that (a) is directly
engaged in the import or export of goods
or sells its services in sub-Saharan
Africa, or (b) is an association of such
entities.
For eligibility purposes, a ‘‘U.S.
organization’’ is an organization,
established under the laws of the United
States, that is controlled by U.S.
citizens, by another U.S. organization
(or organizations), or by a U.S. entity (or
entities), as determined based on its
board of directors (or comparable
governing body), membership, and
funding sources, as applicable. To
qualify as a U.S. organization, more than
50 percent of the board of directors (or
comparable governing body) and more
than 50 percent of the membership of
the organization to be represented must
be U.S. citizens, U.S. organizations, or
U.S. entities. Additionally, at least 50
percent of the organization’s annual
revenue must be attributable to
nongovernmental U.S. sources.
7. For members who will serve in an
individual capacity, the applicant must
possess subject matter expertise
regarding international trade and
development issues relevant to subSaharan Africa.
To be considered for TACA
membership, interested persons should
submit the following to Julia Friedman
at iape@ustr.eop.gov:
1. Applicant’s name, title, affiliation,
and contact information.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:29 Sep 04, 2014
Jkt 232001
2. If applicable, a sponsor letter on the
U.S. organization’s letterhead that
contains a brief description of the
manner in which international trade
affects the U.S. organization and why
the applicant should be considered for
membership.
3. Applicant’s personal resume.
4. An affirmative statement that the
applicant and, if applicable, the U.S.
organization the applicant represents
meet all eligibility requirements.
Applicants who meet the eligibility
criteria will be considered for
membership based on the following
factors: Ability to represent the
sponsoring U.S. entity’s or U.S.
organization’s and its subsector’s
interests on trade and development
matters; knowledge of and experience in
trade and development matters relevant
to the work of the TACA; and ensuring
that the TACA is balanced in terms of
points of view, demographics,
geography, and entity or organization
size.
Dated: August 29, 2014.
Jewel James,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative,
Intergovernmental Affairs and Public
Engagement.
[FR Doc. 2014–21126 Filed 9–4–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290–F4–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Railroad Administration
Environmental Impact Statement for
Dallas–Fort Worth Core Express
Service
Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of Intent to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS).
AGENCY:
The Federal Railroad
Administration (FRA) is issuing this
notice to advise the public that FRA and
the Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT) intend to prepare an
environmental impact statement (EIS)
pursuant to the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for the
impacts of constructing and operating
enhanced intercity passenger rail
services between Dallas and Fort Worth
(Proposed Action). The EIS will
evaluate route and operational
alternatives for intercity passenger rail
in the corridor that currently is only
served by Amtrak’s long distance Texas
Eagle service.
DATES: FRA invites the public,
governmental agencies, and all other
SUMMARY:
PO 00000
Frm 00080
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
interested parties to comment on the
scope of the EIS. All such comments
should be provided in writing, within
ninety (90) days of the publication of
this notice, at the address listed below.
Comments may also be provided orally
or in writing at the scoping meetings.
Scoping meeting dates, times and
locations, in addition to related
information about the EIS for the
Dallas–Fort Worth Core Express service
can be found online at https://
www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0214.
Written comments on the
scope of the EIS may be mailed or
emailed within ninety (90) days of the
publication of this notice to Michael
Johnsen, Lead Environmental Protection
Specialist, Office of Program Delivery,
Federal Railroad Administration, 1200
New Jersey Avenue SE., MS–20,
Washington, DC 20590 or
Michael.johnsen@dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael Johnsen, Lead Environmental
Protection Specialist, Office of Program
Delivery, Federal Railroad
Administration, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., MS–20, Washington, DC
20590 or Michael.johnsen@dot.gov, or
Melissa Neeley, Rail Projects Manager,
Environmental Affairs Division of the
Texas Department of Transportation,
118 E. Riverside Drive, Austin, Texas
78704. Telephone (512) 416–3014,
email: Melissa.neeley@txdot.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EIS
will be prepared in accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (NEPA) and the Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ)
regulations for implementing NEPA and
the FRA’s Procedures for Considering
Environmental Impacts as set forth in 64
FR 28545, dated May 26, 1999
(Environmental Procedures). The EIS
will also address Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act,
Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of
Transportation Act of 1966 (49 U.S.C.
303), Executive Order 12898 and
USDOT Order 5610.2(a) on
Environmental Justice and other
applicable Federal and state laws and
regulations. The EIS will address
environmental issues of concern and
will include:
• Describing the purpose and need for
the Proposed Action.
• Describing the environment likely
to be affected by the Proposed Action.
• Identifying the reasonable
alternatives that satisfy the purpose and
need for the Proposed Action.
• Describing the no-build or no-action
alternative to serve as a baseline for
comparison.
ADDRESSES:
E:\FR\FM\05SEN1.SGM
05SEN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 172 (Friday, September 5, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53093-53094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-21126]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE
Request for Nominations Based on Updated Membership Criteria for
the Trade Advisory Committee on Africa
AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.
ACTION: Request for Nominations; Amendment of Membership Criteria.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice amends the Trade Advisory Committee on Africa
(TACA)--Charter Renewal and Nominations for Membership Notice of March
18, 2014 (79 FR 15201) to revise the membership eligibility criteria
pursuant to the Revised Guidance on the Appointment of Lobbyists to
Federal Advisory Committees, Boards and Commissions, published by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on August 13, 2014. Federally-
registered lobbyists are no longer prohibited from serving on the TACA
in a representative capacity in light of OMB's recent policy
clarification that the eligibility restriction does not apply to
advisory committee members who are specifically appointed to represent
the interests of a nongovernmental entity, a recognizable group of
persons or nongovernmental entities (an industry sector, labor unions,
environmental groups, etc.), or state or local governments. The
lobbyist prohibition continues to apply to persons serving on advisory
committees in their individual capacity. The United States Trade
Representative now will consider nominations of federally-registered
lobbyists for appointment to the TACA as members who serve in a
representative capacity. All other eligibility criteria continue to
apply.
DATES: These revised membership criteria are effective immediately.
Nominations for membership to the TACA (including self-nominations)
will be accepted on a rolling basis.
ADDRESSES: Submit nominations to Julia Friedman, Attorney-Advisor for
the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's Office of
Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, at iape@ustr.eop.gov.
For alternatives to email submission, please contact Julia Friedman at
(202) 395-6120.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julia Friedman, Attorney-Advisor for
the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative's Office of
Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, at (202) 395-6120.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Section 135 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2155),
established a trade advisory system to ensure that U.S. trade policy
and trade negotiation objectives adequately reflect U.S. commercial and
economic interests. Section 135(a)(1) directs the President to: Seek
information and advice from representative elements of the private
sector and the non-Federal governmental sector with respect to:
(A) Negotiating objectives and bargaining positions before entering
into a trade agreement under [title I of the Trade Act of 1974 and
section 2103 of the Bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority Act of 2002];
(B) The operation of any trade agreement once entered into,
including preparation for dispute settlement panel proceedings to which
the United States is a party; and
(C) Other matters arising in connection with the development,
implementation, and administration of the trade policy of the United
States.
Section 135(c)(1) of the 1974 Trade Act provides that: [t]he
President may establish individual general policy advisory committees
for industry, labor, agriculture, services, investment, defense, and
other interests, as appropriate, to provide general policy advice on
matters referred to in [Section 135(a)]. Such committees shall, insofar
as is practicable, be representative of all industry, labor,
agricultural, service, investment, defense, and other interests,
respectively, including small business interests, and shall be
organized by the United States Trade Representative and the Secretaries
of Commerce, Defense, Labor, Agriculture, the Treasury, or other
executive departments, as appropriate. The members of such committees
shall be appointed by the United States Trade Representative in
consultation with such Secretaries. Section 14 of the AGOA Acceleration
Act of 2004 directs the President to convene the TACA ``in order to
facilitate the goals and objectives of the African Growth and
Opportunity Act and this Act, and to maintain ongoing discussions with
African trade and agricultural ministries and private sector
organizations on issues of mutual concern, including regional and
international trade concerns and World Trade Organization issues.''
Pursuant to these provisions, the Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative established the TACA.
Functions
The duties of the TACA are to provide the President, through the
United States Trade Representative, policy advice on issues involving
trade and development in sub-Saharan Africa. The TACA will meet as
needed at the call of the United States Trade Representative or his
designee depending on various factors such as the level of activity of
trade negotiations and the needs of the United States Trade
Representative, or at the call of two-thirds of the TACA members.
Membership
Members serve without compensation and are responsible for all
expenses incurred to attend the meetings. TACA members are appointed by
the United States Trade Representative. Appointments are made at the
chartering of the TACA and periodically throughout the four-year
charter term, which ends on March 17, 2018, unless otherwise extended.
Members serve at the discretion of the United States Trade
Representative. Members are selected to represent their sponsoring U.S.
entity's interests on sub-Saharan African trade matters, and thus
nominees are considered foremost based upon their ability to carry out
the goals of section 135(c) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. Other
criteria are the nominee's knowledge of and expertise in international
trade issues as relevant to the work of the TACA. While all or almost
all TACA members will represent their sponsoring U.S. entities'
interests, it is possible that the United States Trade Representative
may appoint members who serve in an individual capacity as subject
matter experts. Appointments to the TACA are made without regard to
political affiliation with an interest in ensuring
[[Page 53094]]
balance in terms of sectors, demographics, and other factors relevant
to the TACA's needs.
Request for Nominations
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is soliciting
nominations for membership on the TACA. To be appointed to the TACA,
the following eligibility criteria must be met:
1. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
2. The applicant must not be a full-time employee of a U.S.
governmental entity.
3. If serving in an individual capacity, the applicant must not be
a federally-registered lobbyist.
4. The applicant must not be registered with the U.S. Department of
Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration Act;
5. The applicant must be able to obtain and maintain a security
clearance.
6. For representative members, who will comprise the overwhelming
majority of the TACA, the applicant must represent a U.S. organization
whose members (or funders) have a demonstrated interest in issues
relevant to trade and development in sub-Saharan Africa or that (a) is
directly engaged in the import or export of goods or sells its services
in sub-Saharan Africa, or (b) is an association of such entities.
For eligibility purposes, a ``U.S. organization'' is an
organization, established under the laws of the United States, that is
controlled by U.S. citizens, by another U.S. organization (or
organizations), or by a U.S. entity (or entities), as determined based
on its board of directors (or comparable governing body), membership,
and funding sources, as applicable. To qualify as a U.S. organization,
more than 50 percent of the board of directors (or comparable governing
body) and more than 50 percent of the membership of the organization to
be represented must be U.S. citizens, U.S. organizations, or U.S.
entities. Additionally, at least 50 percent of the organization's
annual revenue must be attributable to nongovernmental U.S. sources.
7. For members who will serve in an individual capacity, the
applicant must possess subject matter expertise regarding international
trade and development issues relevant to sub-Saharan Africa.
To be considered for TACA membership, interested persons should
submit the following to Julia Friedman at iape@ustr.eop.gov:
1. Applicant's name, title, affiliation, and contact information.
2. If applicable, a sponsor letter on the U.S. organization's
letterhead that contains a brief description of the manner in which
international trade affects the U.S. organization and why the applicant
should be considered for membership.
3. Applicant's personal resume.
4. An affirmative statement that the applicant and, if applicable,
the U.S. organization the applicant represents meet all eligibility
requirements.
Applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be considered for
membership based on the following factors: Ability to represent the
sponsoring U.S. entity's or U.S. organization's and its subsector's
interests on trade and development matters; knowledge of and experience
in trade and development matters relevant to the work of the TACA; and
ensuring that the TACA is balanced in terms of points of view,
demographics, geography, and entity or organization size.
Dated: August 29, 2014.
Jewel James,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative, Intergovernmental Affairs and
Public Engagement.
[FR Doc. 2014-21126 Filed 9-4-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3290-F4-P