[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 232 (Friday, December 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75241-75242]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-30585]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


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

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 by the Secretary of Commerce to increase the sale 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, Sec. 3803 and 3804 of Public Law 
105-261.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Henry P. Misisco, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, International Trade Administration, Trade Development, Office 
of Automotive Affairs, (202) 482-0554.

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 Public Law 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. 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 APAC charter 
expires in 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

[[Page 75242]]

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.

    Dated: November 17, 2000.
Thomas Sobotta,
Acting Director, Office of Automotive Affairs.
[FR Doc. 00-30585 Filed 11-30-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P