THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release September 22, 2000
EXECUTIVE ORDER
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PRESIDENT'S COMMISSION ON IMPROVING
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN COMMUNITIES DEPENDENT
ON TOBACCO PRODUCTION WHILE PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the
laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Advisory
Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Establishment. (a) There is established the "President's
Commission on Improving Economic Opportunity in Communities Dependent on
Tobacco Production while Protecting Public Health" (the "Commission"). The
Commission shall be composed of not more than 10 members to be selected by
the Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with the President. The
members may include tobacco producers and quota holders; public health
experts; Federal, State, and local government representatives; and experts
in agricultural economics and economic development.
(b) Two co-chairs shall be selected by the Secretary of Agriculture
from the membership of the Commission. The co-chairs shall report to the
President through the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health
and Human Services.
Sec. 2. Purpose. The Commission shall advise 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, while
protecting consumers, particularly children, from hazards associated with
smoking.
Sec. 3. Functions. (a) The Commission shall collect and review
information about changes in the tobacco farming economy and Federal,
State, and local initiatives intended to help tobacco growers, tobacco
quota holders, and communities dependent on tobacco production pursue new
economic opportunities. The
Commission may make recommendations concerning these, and any other,
changes and initiatives that may be necessary to improve economic
opportunity in communities dependent on tobacco production. It shall also
consider the public health implications of such changes and initiatives,
including the efforts to reduce youth smoking and tobacco-related health
consequences in the United States and abroad.
(b) For the purpose of carrying out its functions, the Commission may
hold hearings, establish subcommittees, and convene and act at such times
and places as the Commission may find advisable.
Sec. 4. Reports. The Commission shall make a preliminary report to
the President by December 31, 2000. A final report shall be submitted to
the President 6 months after the Commission's first meeting.
Sec. 5. Administration. (a) To the extent permitted by law, the
heads of executive departments and agencies shall provide the Commission,
upon request, with such information as it may require for the purposes of
carrying out its functions.
(b) While engaged in the work of the Commission, members appointed
from among private citizens of the United States may be allowed travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by law
for persons serving intermittently in the Government service (5 U.S.C.
5701-5707) to the extent funds are available for such purposes.
(c) To the extent permitted by law and subject to the availability of
appropriations, the Department of Agriculture shall provide the Commission
with administrative services, funds, facilities, staff, and other support
services necessary for the performance of the Commission's functions.
Notwithstanding any other Executive Order, the functions of the President
under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, except that of
reporting to the Congress, that are applicable to the Committee
shall be performed by the Secretary of Agriculture in accordance with
guidelines that have been issued by the Administration of General Services.
Sec. 6. General. The Commission shall terminate 30 days after
submitting its final report, but not later than 2 years from the date of
this order, unless extended by the President.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
THE WHITE HOUSE,
September 22, 2000.
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