[Federal Register: March 3, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 42)]
[Notices]               
[Page 11398-11399]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03mr08-44]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary of Defense

 
Charter Amendment of Department of Defense Federal Advisory 
Committees

AGENCY: DoD.

ACTION: Charter Amendment of Federal Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 
1972 (5 U.S.C. Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine 
Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102-3.85, the 
Department of Defense gives notice that it is amending the charter for 
the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Operations Board

[[Page 11399]]

of Visitors (hereafter referred to as the Board).
    The Board is a non-discretionary federal advisory committee 
established by 10 U.S.C. 2166(e) to provide the Secretary of Defense 
through the Secretary of the Army, independent advice and 
recommendations on matters pertaining to the operations and management 
of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Operations (hereafter 
referred to as the Institute). Section 956 of Public Law 110-181 
(National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008) amended the 
Board's membership provisions of 10 U.S.C. 2166(e)(1) to include the 
commanders of the combatant commands having geographic responsibility 
for the Western Hemisphere. All other provisions of 10 U.S.C. 2166(e) 
remained unchanged.
    Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2166(e), the Board shall:
    1. Inquire into the curriculum instruction, physical equipment, 
fiscal affairs, and academic methods of the Institute, other matters 
relating to the Institute that the Board decides to consider, and any 
other matter that the Secretary of Defense determines appropriate;
    2. Review the curriculum to determine whether it adheres to U.S. 
doctrine, complies with applicable U.S. laws and regulations, and is 
consistent with U.S. policy goals towards the Western Hemisphere; and
    3. Determine whether the Institute emphasizes human rights to 
include the rule of law, due process, civilian control of the military, 
and the role of the military in a democratic society.
    Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2166(e)(1), the Board shall be composed of 
thirteen members:
    1. Two members of the Senate (the Chair and Ranking Member of the 
Armed Services Committee or their designees);
    2. Two Members of the House of Representatives (the Chair and 
Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee or their designees);
    3. One person designated by the Secretary of State; the senior 
military officer responsible for training and education in the U.S. 
Army (or designee); the commanders of the combatant commands having 
geographic responsibility for the Western Hemisphere (or designee); and
    4. Six persons designated by the Secretary of Defense including, to 
the extent practicable, persons from academia, religious institutions, 
and human rights communities.
    Board Members appointed by the Secretary of Defense, who are not 
federal officers or employees, shall serve as Special Government 
Employees under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 3109. Board Members shall be 
appointed for a two-year term, and may be extended for an additional 
term of two years. With the exception of travel and per diem for 
official travel, they shall serve without compensation.
    The Board shall be authorized to establish subcommittees, as 
necessary and consistent with its mission, and these subcommittees or 
working groups shall operate under the provisions of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act of 1972, the Sunshine in the Government Act of 
1976, and other appropriate federal regulations.
    Such subcommittees or workgroups shall not work independently of 
the chartered Board, and shall report all their recommendations and 
advice to the Board for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees 
or workgroups have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the 
chartered Board nor can they report directly to the Department of 
Defense or any federal officers or employees who are not Board Members.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board shall meet at the call of the 
Board's Designated Federal Officer, in consultation with the Board's 
chairperson. The Designated Federal Officer, pursuant to DoD policy, 
shall be a full-time or permanent part-time DoD employee, and shall be 
appointed in accordance with established DoD policies and procedures. 
The Designated Federal Officer or duly appointed Alternate Designated 
Federal Officer shall attend all committee meetings and subcommittee 
meetings.
    Pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.105(j) and 102-3.140, the public or 
interested organizations may submit written statements to the Western 
Hemisphere Institute for Security Operations Board of Visitors 
membership about the Board's mission and functions. Written statements 
may be submitted at any time or in response to the stated agenda of 
planned meeting of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security 
Operations Board of Visitors.
    All written statements shall be submitted to the Designated Federal 
Officer for the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Operations 
Board of Visitors, and this individual will ensure that the written 
statements are provided to the membership for their consideration. 
Contact information for the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security 
Operations Board of Visitors' Designated Federal Officer can be 
obtained from the GSA's FACA Database--https://www.fido.gov/
facadatabase/public.asp.
    The Designated Federal Officer, pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.150, will 
announce planned meetings of the Western Hemisphere Institute for 
Security Operations Board of Visitors. The Designated Federal Officer, 
at that time, may provide additional guidance on the submission of 
written statements that are in response to the stated agenda for the 
planned meeting in question.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Jim Freeman, Deputy Committee 
Management Officer for the Department of Defense, 703-601-2554, 
extension 128.

    Dated: February 26, 2008.
L.M. Bynum,
Alternate OSD Federal Register, Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. E8-3997 Filed 2-29-08; 8:45 am]

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