2016-07826. Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA), is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as a member of the Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials (herein-after in this section referred to as “the Committee”). The Committee was established pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2401 to advise the Secretary of VA with respect to the administration of VA national cemeteries, soldiers' lots and plots, which are the responsibility of the Secretary, the erection of appropriate memorials and the adequacy of Federal burial benefits.

DATES:

Nominations of qualified candidates are being sought to fill upcoming vacancies on the Committee. Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on May 31, 2016.

ADDRESSES:

All nominations should be mailed to National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW. (43A2), Washington, DC 20420, or faxed to [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Michael Nacincik, National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW. (43A2), Washington, DC 20420, telephone [phone]. A copy of Committee charter and list of the current membership can be obtained by contacting Mr. Nacincik or by accessing the Web site managed by NCA at: http://www.cem.va.gov/​cem/​about/​advisory_​committee.asp.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Advisory Committee on Cemeteries and Memorials (ACCM) was established pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 2401 to advise the Secretary of VA with respect to the administration of VA national cemeteries, soldiers' lots and plots, which are the responsibility of the Secretary, the erection of appropriate memorials and the adequacy of Federal burial benefits. The Committee responsibilities include:

(1) Advising the Secretary on VA's administration of burial benefits and the selection of cemetery sites, the erection of appropriate memorials, and the adequacy of Federal burial benefits;

(2) Providing to the Secretary and Congress periodic reports outlining recommendations, concerns, and observations on VA's delivery of these benefits and services to Veterans;

(3) Meeting with VA officials, Veteran Service Organizations, and other stakeholders to assess the Department's efforts in providing burial benefits and outreach on these benefits to Veterans and their dependents;

(4) Undertaking assignments to conduct research and assess existing burial and memorial programs; to examine potential revisions or expansion of burial and memorial programs and services; and to provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary based on this research.

NCA is requesting nominations for upcoming vacancies on the Committee. The Committee is composed of up to twelve members and several ex-officio members.

The members of the Committee are appointed by the Secretary of Veteran Affairs from the general public, including but not limited to:

(1) Veterans or other individuals who are recognized authorities in fields pertinent to the needs of Veterans;

(2) Veterans who have experience in a military theater of operations;

(3) Recently separated service members;

(4) Officials from Government, non-Government organizations (NGOs) and industry partners in the provision of memorial benefits and services, and outreach information to VA beneficiaries.

The Secretary shall determine the number, terms of service, and pay and allowances of members of the Committee appointed by the Secretary, except that a term of service of any such member may not exceed three years. The Secretary may reappoint any such member 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 prior military experience and military deployments, experience working with Veterans, and experience in large and complex organizations, and subject matter expertise in the areas described above. We ask that nominations include information of this type 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 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 travel expenses incurred. The Department makes every effort to ensure that the membership of VA federal advisory committees is diverse in terms of points of view represented and the committee's capabilities. Appointments to this Committee shall be made without discrimination because of a person's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, 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: March 31, 2016.

Jeffrey M. Martin,

Office Program Manager, Office of Regulation and Policy Management.