96-9753. Under Secretary for Technology; National Medal of Technology Nomination Evaluation Committee; Notice of Determination For Closure of Meeting

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 78 (Monday, April 22, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 17689]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-9753]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Technology Administration


Under Secretary for Technology; National Medal of Technology 
Nomination Evaluation Committee; Notice of Determination For Closure of 
Meeting

    The National Medal of Technology Nomination Evaluation Committee 
has scheduled a meeting for April 19, 1996. Late notice of this meeting 
is being provided due to several exceptional circumstances. Recently a 
decision was made to change the date of the National Medal of 
Technology Award ceremony from October to June of each year. In order 
to meet the new program schedule, the National Medal of Technology 
Nomination Evaluation Committee must meet no later than April 19, 1996. 
Also, the publication of this notice has been delayed because of the 
recent untimely death of the Secretary of Commerce.
    The Committee was established to assist the Department in executing 
its responsibilities under 15 U.S.C. 3711. Under this provision, the 
Secretary is responsible for recommending to the President prospective 
recipients of the National Medal of Technology. The Committee's 
recommendations are made after reviewing all nominations received in 
response to a public solicitation. The Committee is chartered to have 
from six to twelve members, of which nine are now serving. Three 
additional Committee members are in the process of being appointed.
    The meeting will be closed to discuss the relative merits of 
persons and companies nominated for the Medal. Public disclosure of 
this information would be likely to significantly frustrate 
implementation of the National Medal of Technology program because 
premature publicity about candidates under consideration for the Medal, 
who may or may not ultimately receive the award, would be likely to 
discourage nominations for the Medal.
    Accordingly, I find and determine, pursuant to Section 10(d) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app. 2, as amended, that the 
April 19, 1996, meeting may be closed to the public in accordance with 
Section 552b(c)(9)(B) of Title 5, United States Code because revealing 
information about Medal candidates would be likely to significantly 
frustrate implementation of a proposed agency action.

    Dated: April 16, 1996.
Raymond G. Kammer,
Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration.
    Dated: April 16, 1996.
Barbara S. Fredericks
Assistant General Counsel for Administration.
[FR Doc. 96-9753 Filed 4-18-96; 3:50 pm]
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