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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 3 (Monday, January 6, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 742-743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-31625]

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the Advisory 
Committee on Former Prisoners of War

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of solicitation for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Advisory Committee on 
Former Prisoners of War (the Committee or FPOW), is seeking nominations 
of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as a member of 
the Committee.

DATES: Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received no 
later than 5 p.m. EST on February 28, 2025. Packages received after 
this time will not be considered for the current membership cycle.

ADDRESSES: All nominations should be mailed to Outreach, Transition and 
Economic Development (OTED), Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), 
Department of Veterans Affairs, 1800 G St., NW, Washington, DC 20006 or 
emailed to [email protected]. Please write Nomination for FPOW 
Membership in the subject line.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Julian Wright, Designated Federal 
Officer (DFO), OTED, Department of Veterans Affairs, 1800 G St., NW 
Washington, DC 20006, or telephone (202) 302-8629.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In carrying out the duties set forth, the 
activities of the Committee include, but are not limited to:
    (1) Advising the Secretary on how VA can assist and represent 
FPOWs', including recommendations regarding expanding services and 
benefits to FPOWs' and related policy. Administrative, legislative and/
or regulatory actions;
    (2) Advising the Secretary on incorporating lessons learned from 
current, and previous, successful family research and outreach efforts 
that measure the impact of provided care and benefits services on 
FPOWs;
    (3) Advising the Secretary on collaborating with family support 
programs within VA and engaging with other VA and non-VA advisory 
committees focused on specific demographics of FPOWs;
    (4) Advising the Secretary on working with interagency, 
intergovernmental, private/non-profit, community, and Veteran service 
organizations to identify and address gaps in services for FPOWs;
    (5) Providing such reports as the Committee deems necessary, but 
not less than one report per year, to the Secretary, through the DFO/
VBA to describe the Committee's activities, deliberations, and 
findings, which may include but are not limited to: 1) identification 
of current challenges and recommendations for remediation related to 
access to care and benefits services of FPOWs; and 2) identification of 
current best practices in care and benefits delivery to FPOWs, and the 
impact of such best practices.
    Authority: The Committee is authorized by statute, 38 U.S.C. 541 
and operates in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. ch. 10. The Committee advises the 
Secretary on the following:
    (1) The administration of benefits for Veterans who are FPOWs, in 
the areas of compensation, health care, and rehabilitation.
    (2) The use of VA care and benefits services by FPOWs, and possible 
adjustments to such care and benefits services;
    (3) Factors that influence access to, quality of, and 
accountability for services and benefits for FPOWs.
    Membership Criteria and Qualifications:
    VA is seeking nominations for Committee membership. The Committee 
is composed of up to 12 members and several ex-officio members. The 
members of the Committee are appointed by the Secretary of Veteran 
Affairs from the general public, from various sectors and 
organizations, including but not limited to:
    (1) Veterans who are FPOWs
    (2) Appropriate representatives of Veterans who are FPOWs
    (3) Individuals who are recognized authorities in fields of 
pertinent to disabilities prevalent among FPOW, including authorities 
in epidemiology, mental health, nutrition, geriatrics, and internal 
medicine; and
    (4) Appropriate representatives of disabled Veterans.
    In accordance with the Committee Charter, the Secretary shall 
determine the number, terms of service, and pay and allowances of 
Committee members. The term of service for any member may not exceed 
three years. The Secretary may reappoint any Committee member

[[Page 743]]

for additional terms of service. To the extent possible, the Secretary 
seeks members who have diverse professional and personal qualifications 
including but not limited to subject matter experts in the areas 
described above. We ask that nominations include any relevant 
experience information so that VA can ensure diverse Committee 
membership.
    Requirements for Nomination Submission: Nominations should be typed 
(one nomination per nominator). Nomination package should include:
    (1) A letter of nomination that clearly states the name and 
affiliation of the nominee, the basis for the nomination (i.e. specific 
attributes which qualify the nominee for service in this capacity), and 
a statement from the nominee indicating the willingness to serve as a 
member of the Committee;
    (2) The nominee's contact information, including name, mailing 
address, telephone numbers and email address;
    (3) The nominee's resume or curriculum vitae; and
    (4) A summary of the nominee's experience and qualifications 
relative to the membership considerations described above.
    Individuals selected for appointment to the Committee shall be 
invited to serve a two-year term. Committee members will receive a 
stipend for attending Committee meetings, including per diem and 
reimbursement for eligible travel expenses incurred.
    The Department makes every effort to ensure that the membership of 
its Federal advisory committees is fairly-balanced in terms of points 
of view represented. Every effort is made to ensure that a broad 
representation of geographic areas, gender, and racial and ethnic 
minority groups, and that the disabled are given consideration for 
membership. Appointments to this Committee shall be made without 
discrimination because of a person's race, color, religion, sex 
(including gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, and 
pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. 
Nominations must state that the nominee is willing to serve as a member 
of the Committee and appears to have no conflict of interest that would 
preclude membership. An ethics review is conducted for each selected 
nominee.

    Dated: December 31, 2024.
Jelessa M. Burney,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-31625 Filed 1-3-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
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