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Access America E-Gov E-Zine
Access America E-Gov E-Zine tells the stories of how federal employees are using information technology to deliver services to the American people and to improve their own productivity. Their work captures the vision of Vice President Al Gore in his book, Access America: Reengineering Through Information Technology.
Public Interest Obligations Advisory Committee Home Page
By Executive Order No. 13038, President Clinton established the Advisory Committee on Public Interest Obligations of Digital Television Broadcasters (PIAC). The Committee studied and recommended the public interest responsibilities that should accompany the broadcasters' receipt of digital television licenses. NTIA serves as the Secretariat for the Advisory Committee.
Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce
Home of the Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce, created by Congress to produce recommendations on electronic commerce and tax policy, critical information age issues with global implications.
ACIR (Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations) Home Page
The Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR) is a permanent, independent, bipartisan intergovernmental agency established by Public Law 86-380 in 1959. As it was established, ACIR's mission is:To strengthen the American federal system and improve the ability of federal, state, and local governments to work together cooperatively, efficiently, and effectively.
Advisory Committee on Online Access and Security
In December 1999 the Federal Trade Commission established the Advisory Committee on Online Access and Security. The purpose of the Advisory Committee was to provide advice and recommendations to the Commission regarding implementation of certain fair information practices by domestic commercial Web sites. In particular, the Advisory Committee addressed providing online consumers reasonable access to personal information collected from and about them and maintaining adequate security for that information. In accordance with its Charter, the Advisory Committee submitted its Final Report to the Commission on May 15, 2000, and was terminated on May 31, 2000.
Amtrak Reform Council
Amtrak Reform Council (ARC) is an independent federal commission established under the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997 (ARAA), which gave the Council a statutory mandate: (i) to recommend to Amtrak actions that the Corporation can take to improve its operational and financial performance; (ii) to monitor Amtrak's financial performance in the light of both Amtrak's own goals for financial performance, as established in its strategic business plan, and the statutory requirement that Amtrak be free of the need for operating grants after the fifth anniversary of the enactment of the ARAA; and (iii) should the Council find that Amtrak has not achieved or will not achieve either of its financial targets, then it is to forward to the Congress recommendations for a restructured and rationalized national intercity rail passenger system.
Census Monitoring Board: Congressional Members
Congress established the Census Monitoring Board to observe and monitor all aspects of the preparation and implementation of the 2000 decennial census. The method employed by the Census to count over 275 million Americans in 2000.
Welcome to the U.S. Census Monitoring Board Web Site
U.S. Census Monitoring Board is a bipartisan board charged with monitoring the Bureau of the Census' preparations for the 2000 Census and reporting its findings to Congress and the President.
Iraqcoalition.org: Homepage of The New Iraq
The Coalition Provisional Authority, called CPA, is the name for the temporary government of Iraq. It is composed of a coalition of more than 40 nations from around the world which represent every continent and race on earth. All of these countries are united in the purpose of achieving a free and stable Iraq which respects the rights of its citizens and is at peace with its neighbors. Once a constitution is in place and democratic elections are held, the CPA will have accomplished its mission and will go home, leaving behind it, God willing, an Iraq that is a decent place for peace-loving citizens to live and exercise the freedoms given to all men by their creator.
Columbia Accident Investigation Board
On Feb. 1, 2003, Shuttle Columbia was lost during its return to Earth. Investigators have found the cause. Official Board site providing press releases, events, and other information regarding the ongoing investigation.
Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century
Welcome to the official website of the Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century. This Commission was created by Congress to report on the housing and health needs for the next generation of seniors and offer policy and legislative recommendations for enhancing services and increasing the available housing for this rapidly growing segment of our society.
The Commission on Structural Alternatives for the Federal Courts of Appeals Homepage
Effective March 19, 1999 the Commission on Structural Alternatives for the Federal Courts of Appeals completed its business and ceased operations.
Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction
Established by Executive Order 13328 and signed by President George W. Bush on February 6, 2004, the Commission was charged with assessing whether the Intelligence Community is sufficiently authorized, organized, equipped, trained, and resourced to identify and warn in a timely manner of, and to support United States Government efforts to respond to, the development and transfer of knowledge, expertise, technologies, materials, and resources associated with the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, related means of delivery, and other related threats of the 21st Century and their employment by foreign powers (including terrorists, terrorist organizations, and private networks). T he Commission examined the capabilities and challenges of the Intelligence Community to collect, process, analyze, produce, and disseminate information concerning the capabilities, intentions, and activities of such foreign powers relating to the design, development, manufacture, acquisition, possession, proliferation, transfer, testing, potential or threatened use, or use of Weapons of Mass Destruction, related means of delivery, and other related threats of the 21st Century.
Overseas Basing Commission
The Commission on Review of Overseas Military Facility Structure of the United States is charged with implementing Public Law 108-132 Sec. 128 by conducting a thorough study of matters relating to the overseas military facility structure of the United States. See also the Commission's Amended Charter and the Original Charter.
Commission to Strengthen Social Security
On May 2, President Bush announced establishment of a bipartisan, 16-member Commission "to study and report specific recommendations to preserve Social Security for seniors while building wealth for younger Americans." The Commission will provide bipartisan recommendations to the President for modernizing and restoring fiscal soundness to the Social Security System according to the following principles: modernization must not change Social Security benefits for retirees or near retirees; the entire Social Security surplus must be dedicated to Social Security only; Social Security payroll taxes must not be increased; the Government must not invest Social Security funds in the stock market; modernization must preserve Social Security's disability and survivors components; and modernization must include individually controlled, voluntary personal retirement accounts, which will augment the Social Security safety net.
COPA Commission
The COPA Commission, a congressionally appointed panel, was mandated by the Child Online Protection Act, which was approved by Congress in October 1998. The primary purpose of the Commission is to "identify technological or other methods that will help reduce access by minors to material that is harmful to minors on the Internet."
DOJ/Antitrust: International Competition Policy Advisory Committee
The International Competition Policy Advisory Committee (ICPAC) was formed in November 1997 to address the global antitrust problems of the 21st Century.
Millennial Housing Commission
The mission of the Commission is to identify, analyze, and develop recommendations that highlight the importance of housing, improve the housing delivery system, and provide affordable housing for the American people, including recommending possible legislative and regulatory initiatives.
National Bankruptcy Review Commission
An independent commission established to investigate and study issues relating to the Bankruptcy Code, solicit divergent views, evaluate proposals, and submit a report to the President, Congress and the Chief Justice.
National Bioethics Advisory Commission
Home page for the National Bioethics Advisory Commission.
National Civil Aviation Review Commission
The National Civil Aviation Review Commission was established by Congress to make recommendations on how best to finance and reform the budgeting ofthe NationÂ’s aviation programs. The CommissionÂ’s purpose, in part, is to developa consensus on how much funding is actually needed over several years for development and operation of the NationÂ’s air traffic control system, the safety and security programs of the Federal Aviation Administration, as well as airport capital development, and how best to secure a dedicated, stable, and adequate source of funding for these programs.
Home Page (National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information and Choice in the Airline Industry)
The National Commission to Ensure Consumer Information and Choice in the Airline Industry was created by the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21), enacted in April 2000, to study the market position and general condition of retail travel agents in today's competitive markets for the sale of air travel services. The commission will examine whether the financial condition of travel agents is declining and, if so, the effect of such a decline on consumers. It also will explore whether there are impediments to information regarding the services and products offered by the airline industry, and, if so, the effects of those impediments on travel agents, Internet-based distributors and consumers.
National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States
The National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also known as the 9-11 Commission), an independent, bipartisan commission created by congressional legislation and the signature of President George W. Bush in late 2002, is chartered to prepare a full and complete account of the circumstances surrounding the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, including preparedness for and the immediate response to the attacks. The Commission is also mandated to provide recommendations designed to guard against future attacks.
NDPC (National Drought Policy Commission) Home
The National Drought Policy Commission was established under the National Drought Policy Act of 1998, P.L.105-199. The Act charged the Commission with conducting a thorough study of drought and its impacts and submitting a report on its findings discussing the feasibility for creating a national drought policy. The NDPC report and accompanying materials is posted on this website and can be downloaded by the public.
National Education Goals Panel
The National Education Goals Panel (NEGP) is a unique bipartisan and intergovernmental body of federal and state officials created in July 1990 to assess and report state and national progress toward achieving the National Education Goals. Under the legislation, the Panel is charged with a variety of responsibilities to support systemwide reform, including: reporting on national and state progress toward the Goals over a 10-year period; working to establish a system of high academic standards and assessments; identifying actions for federal, state, and local governments to take; and building a nationwide, bipartisan consensus to achieve the Goals.
National Gambling Impact Study Commission
Congress authorized The National Gambling Impact Study Commission ("the Commission") on June 3, 1996 by Public Law 104-169. The Commission is subject to the standards and requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, with respect to meetings, hearings, and availability of Commission records, and other matters. The implementing statute for the Commission establishes it as an independent commission which is not under the auspices of any executive agency, nor specifically controlled by the legislative or judicial branches of government. The Commission must conduct a comprehensive legal and factual study of the social and economic impacts of gambling on (1) federal, state, local, and Native American tribal governments; and (2) communities and social institutions including the individuals, families, and businesses which compose them.
Vice President Gore's National Partnership for Reinventing Government
The National Partnership for Reinventing Government (NPR), originally the National Performance Review, was the Clinton-Gore Administration's interagency task force to reform and streamline the way the federal government works. It was the eleventh federal reform effort in the twentieth century. In creating NPR on March 3, 1993, President Clinton said: “Our goal is to make the entire federal government less expensive and more efficient, and to change the culture of our national bureaucracy away from complacency and entitlement toward initiative and empowerment.” Based on the President’s challenge, Vice President Gore set out to create a government that “works better, costs less, and gets results Americans care about.”
Office of Consumer Affairs
The Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) seeks to promote a better understanding between businesses and consumers, to help businesses improve the quality of their services, to educate consumers to make wise purchasing decisions, and to provide the consumer viewpoint in the development of policy. The office: assists consumers with marketplace issues and educates them about resources that are available to help them; publishes guides to help businesses respond to consumer needs; and represents and coordinates the Department's consumer affairs activities with consumer groups, other Federal, state, county, and municipal government agencies, and international organizations.
Office of Technology Applications
In keeping with President Clinton's priorities to create a government that works better and costs less, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) launched a comprehensive evaluation of the agency's organizational structure in May of 1997. We did this because our future depends on delivering quality services quickly, working with our transportation partners in the common goal of building the finest transportation system in the world. Yet, as many companies and agencies across the nation have discovered, what were good business practices yesterday may no longer be effective today. Some changes were necessary. In our review, we looked at ways to streamline FHWA's field organization and enhance the program delivery role of our division offices, which work directly with our partners and customers in each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.
Office of Independent Counsel Donald C. Smaltz in re Secretary of Agriculture Alphonso Michael Espy
This is the web site of the Office of Independent Counsel in the investigation and prosecutions involving matters relating to former Secretary of Agriculture, Alphonso Michael Espy. Donald C. Smaltz was appointed Independent Counsel by the Special Division of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on September 9, 1994, to "investigate to the maximum extent authorized by [law]" whether Secretary Espy "committed a violation of any federal criminal law . . . relating in any way to the acceptance of gifts by him from organizations or individuals with business pending before the Department of Agriculture." He was also given jurisdiction to investigate "other allegations or evidence of violations of any federal criminal law by organizations or individuals developed during the course of the investigation of Secretary Espy and connected with or arising out of that investigation." The purpose of this web site is to give the public access to public information that defines and explains the investigation.
Office of Technology Assessment (OTA)
The Congressional Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) closed on September 29, 1995. During its 23-year history, OTA provided Congressional members and committees with analyses of the scientific and technological issues that were increasingly relevant to public policy and legislative action. The agency's legacy is found in the many items of legislation it influenced and in the channels of communication its staff helped foster between legislative policymakers and members of the scientific, technical, and business communities. The Office's legacy is also found in its hundreds of publications, gathered for the first time in electronic form on the set of 5 CD-ROMs: The OTA Legacy, 1972-1995. This Web site presents the complete contents of the five CD-ROMs with additional enhancements and features that facilitate access and retrieval.
Women's History Celebration
President Clinton established the Commission on the Celebration of Women in American History to consider how best to acknowledge and celebrate the roles and accomplishments of women in American history. It will hold meetings to consider ideas for such celebration, including a focal point for women's history in Washington, D.C., and the use of technology to connect existing and planned historical sites, museums and libraries. The first meeting of the Commission was held on July 16, 1998, at the Canandaigua County Courthouse, the site where Susan B. Anthony was tried and convicted for voting. The Commission's recommendations were reported to the President on November 15, 2000.
President's Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry
The Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry was created by President Clinton to "advise the President on changes occurring in the health care system and recommend such measures as may be necessary to promote and assure health care quality and value, and protect consumers and workers in the health care system."
Presidential Commission on Holocaust Assets in the US
To present a thorough historical record of the collection and disposition of the assets of Holocaust victims that came into the possession or control of the Government of the United States. The Presidential Advisory Commission on Holocaust Assets in the United States (PCHA), established by the U.S. Holocaust Assets Commission Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-186), is charged with conducting original research into the fate of assets taken from victims of the Holocaust that came into the possession of the U.S. Federal government; reviewing research done by others regarding assets that came to private collections and non-Federal government organizations (especially state governments and financial institutions); and advising the President on policies that should be adopted to make restitution to the rightful owners of stolen property or their heirs. The primary goal is to develop an historical account of those valuables that came into the hands of the Federal government. Original research is conducted in the areas of art and cultural property, gold, and non-gold financial property by teams of researchers headed by experts Jonathan Petropoulos, Marc Masurovsky and Helen Junz.
President's Commission on Moon, Mars and Beyond
The mission of the Commission shall be to provide recommendations to the President on implementation of the vision outlined in the President's policy statement entitled "A Renewed Spirit of Discovery" and the President's Budget Submission for Fiscal Year 2005 (collectively, "Policy"). The Commission shall examine and make recommendations to the President regarding: a) science research agenda to be conducted on the Moon and other destinations as well as human and robotic science activities that advance our capacity to achieve the Policy; b) The exploration of technologies, demonstrations, and strategies, including the use of lunar and other in situ natural resources, that could be used for sustainable human and robotic exploration; c) Criteria that could be used to select future destinations for human exploration; d) Long-term organization options for managing implementation of space exploration activities; e) The most appropriate and effective roles for potential private sector and international participants in implementing the Policy; and f) Methods for optimizing space exploration activities to encourage the interests of America's youth in studying and pursuing careers in mathematics, science, and engineering; and g) Management of the implementation of the Policy within available resources.
President's Commission on Improving Economic Opportunity in Communities Dependent on Tobacco Production while Protecting Public Health
Executive Order 13168, dated September 27, 2000 established the President's Commission on Improving Economic Opportunity in Communities Dependent on Tobacco Production While Protecting Public Health (Commission). The purpose of the Commission is to provide advice to the President on changes occurring in the tobacco farming economy and recommend such measures as may be necessary to improve economic opportunity and development in communities that are dependent on tobacco production, and protect consumers, particularly children, from hazards associated with smoking.
President's Advisory Panel on Federal Tax Reform
On January 7, 2005, President Bush announced the establishment of a bipartisan panel to advise on options to reform the tax code to make it simpler, fairer, and more pro-growth to benefit all Americans. The Advisory Panel will submit to the Secretary of the Treasury a report containing revenue neutral policy options for reforming the Federal Internal Revenue Code as soon as practicable, but not later than November 1, 2005. These options should: simplify Federal tax laws to reduce the costs and administrative burdens of compliance with such laws; share the burdens and benefits of the Federal tax structure in an appropriately progressive manner while recognizing the importance of homeownership and charity in American society; and promote long-run economic growth and job creation, and better encourage work effort, saving, and investment, so as to strengthen the competitiveness of the United States in the global marketplace.
President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health
President George W. Bush established the PresidentÂ’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health in April 2002 as part of his commitment to eliminate inequality for Americans with disabilities. The President directed the Commission to identify policies that could be implemented by Federal, State and local governments to maximize the utility of existing resources, improve coordination of treatments and services, and promote successful community integration for adults with a serious mental illness and children with a serious emotional disturbance.
The Creation of the Science Commission
For 155 years, the Smithsonian Institution has had as its mission "the increase and diffusion of knowledge." Given the important questions facing the scientific world today, the existing level of institutional financial and physical resources, the strengths of the Institution's people and its collections, how should the Smithsonian set priorities for scientific research in the years ahead and, in general, carry out its historic mission more effectively? 1) How should scientific research be organized to optimize the use of the Institution's human, physical and financial resources? 2) How should the performance of scientific research by individuals and research departments be evaluated? 3) How can the relationship between research and public programming be enhanced? 4) What suggestions, of any type might the Science Commission have to strengthen research at the Smithsonian? 5) What should be the qualifications of those chosen to lead key scientific research units of the Smithsonian? 6) What should be done to enhance public recognition of Smithsonian science?
Special Oversight Board for Department of Defense Investigations of Gulf War Chemical and Biological Incidents
The Special Oversight Board shall provide advice and recommendations based on its review of Department of Defense investigations into possible detections of, and exposures to, chemical or biological weapons agents and environmental and other factors that may have contributed to Gulf War illnesses.
U.S. Commission on National Security/21st Century
The USCNS/21 is charged with thinking comprehensively and creatively about how the United States should provide for its national security in the 21st century.
United States Commission on Ocean Policy
On September 20, 2004, the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy fulfilled its mandate to submit recommendations for a coordinated and comprehensive national ocean policy to the President and Congress. The Commission's final report, "An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century," contains 212 recommendations addressing all aspects of ocean and coastal policy. The 16 members of the Commission call on the President and Congress to take decisive, immediate action to carry out these recommendations, which will halt the steady decline of our nation's oceans and coasts.
United States Information Agency (USIA)
An independent foreign affairs agency supporting U.S. foreign policy and national interests abroad, USIA conducts international educational and cultural exchanges, broadcasting, and information programs.
U.S. Trade Deficit Review Commission
The purpose of the Commission is to study the nature, causes, and consequences of the United States merchandise trade and current account deficits.
White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy
A growing number of Americans are using alternative approaches to health promotion and medical treatment. People are looking to health care providers to treat the whole person, not only illness. Because of public interest in and use of unconventional health care, the President established the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. Executive Order 13147 authorizing the Commission was issued on March 7, 2000.
National Assessment of Vocational Education
The National Assessment of Vocational Education (NAVE) is a congressionally-mandated evaluation of the 1998 Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act and of the implementation and outcomes of vocational education in the United States. This page provides access to various NAVE reports and related resources.
White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans
President George W. Bush signed Executive Order 13230 on October 12, 2001 establishing the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. The purpose of the seventeen member Commission is to work collectively to address the educational issues facing children of Hispanic ancestry living in this country, so that all children have the opportunity to learn, to realize the American dream and to succeed.
Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States
The bipartisan commission was tasked by Congress to "examine and make recommendations with respect to the long-term strategic posture of the United States." Chaired by former Secretary of Defense William J. Perry, Congress created the Commission as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008. The final report, consisting of over one hundred findings and recommendations, was delivered to Congress and the White House on May 6, 2009.
Return to Flight Task Group
On June 13, 2003 the NASA Administrator appointed two vetereran astronauts to lead an external task group in an independent assessment of the agency's "Return to Flight" efforts and to help the nation return the Space Shuttle safely to flight. On August 17th, 2005, the task group completed its work with the delivery of a final report to the NASA Administrator.
Texas Tax Reform Commission
The Texas Tax Reform Commission (TTRC) was a bipartisan group of 24 Texans who developed proposals to modernize the state tax system and provide long-term property tax relief as well as sound financing for public schools. Governor Rick Perry directed the Commission to make recommendations on how to reform the state's business tax structure and provide significant property tax relief. Both goals are essential to promoting long-term economic growth and ensuring a stable, long-term source of revenue for public education. Accordingly. the Commission presented its final Report in March, 2006 and the recommendations not only address the Governor's directive, but also meet later court-mandated improvements in how Texas funds its schools.
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