[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 27, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Page 80901]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-33147]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

United States Patent and Trademark Office

[Docket No.: PTO-C-2011-0080]


National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation 
Committee

AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (United States Patent and Trademark 
Office) is requesting nominations of individuals to serve on the 
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation 
Committee. The United States Patent and Trademark Office will consider 
all timely nominations received in response to this notice as well as 
from other sources.

DATES: To ensure full consideration, nominations must be postmarked, 
faxed or electronically transmitted no later than January 26, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Nominations must be submitted to: Program Manager, National 
Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States Patent and 
Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450. 
Nominations also may be submitted via fax: (571) 273-0340 or by 
electronic mail to: nmti@uspto.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Steven Berk, Program Manager, National 
Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States Patent and 
Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450, 
telephone (571) 272-8400, or electronic mail: nmti@uspto.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The committee was established in accordance with the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (Title 5, United States Code, Appendix 
2). The following provides information about the committee and 
membership:
     Committee members are appointed by and serve at the 
discretion of the Secretary of Commerce. The committee provides advice 
to the Secretary on the implementation of Public Law 96-480 (15 U.S.C. 
3711), as amended August 9, 2007.
     The committee functions solely as an advisory body under 
the FACA. Members are appointed to the approximately 12-member 
committee for a term of three years. Each member will be reevaluated at 
the conclusion of the three-year term with the prospect of 
reappointment to one additional term, pending advisory committee needs 
and the Secretary's concurrence. Selection of membership is made in 
accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidelines.
     Members are responsible for reviewing nominations and 
making recommendations for the Nation's highest honor for technological 
innovation, awarded annually by the President of the United States. 
Members of the committee must have an understanding of, and experience 
in, developing and utilizing technological innovation and/or be 
familiar with the education, training, employment and management of 
technological manpower.
     The Department is seeking additional nominations of 
candidates from small, medium-sized, and large businesses and academia, 
with expertise in the following sub-sectors of the technology 
enterprise: Medical Innovations/Bioengineering and Biomedical 
Technology; Technology Management/Computing/IT/Manufacturing 
Innovation; Technological Manpower/Workforce Training/Education. Under 
the FACA, membership on a committee must be balanced in background and 
expertise. In order to maximize the balance of background and 
expertise, nominations of individuals with backgrounds in the following 
SPECIAL EMPHASIS areas are particularly sought: Microbiology, Medical 
Science, Energy Sector, General Engineering, and Environmental 
Sciences.
     Committee members generally are Chief Executive Officers 
or former Chief Executive Officers; former winners of the National 
Medal of Technology and Innovation; presidents or distinguished faculty 
of universities; or senior executives of non-profit organizations. As 
such, they not only offer the stature of their positions but also 
possess intimate knowledge of the forces determining future directions 
for their organizations and industries. The committee as a whole is 
balanced in representing geographical, professional, and diverse 
interests.

Nomination Information

     Nominees must be United States citizens, must be able to 
fully participate in meetings pertaining to the review and selection of 
finalists for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation, and must 
uphold the confidential nature of an independent peer review and 
competitive selection process.
     The United States Patent and Trademark Office is committed 
to equal opportunity in the workplace and seeks a broad-based and 
diverse committee membership.

    Dated: December 15, 2011.
David J. Kappos,
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of 
the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2011-33147 Filed 12-23-11; 8:45 am]
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