Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The US Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) is looking at establishing advisory committees in all five US territories and are soliciting comments and recommendations as well as seeking nominations to the panels.

Established by federal law the USCCR is an independent, bipartisan, fact-finding federal agency and its mission is to form the development of national civil rights policy and enhance enforcement of federal civil rights laws.

“We pursue this mission by studying alleged deprivations of voting rights and alleged discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, or national origin, or in the administration of justice,” according to USCCR website.

Additionally, “We play a vital role in advancing civil rights through objective and comprehensive investigation, research, and analysis on issues of fundamental concern to the federal government and the public.”

All 50-states have USCCR advisory committees, according to the Commission’s website (https://www.usccr.gov)

In a national notice this week on a federal portal (www.regulations.gov), the Commission announced the solicitation of comments and recommendations regarding USCCR's intent to establish advisory committees in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. It is also seeking nominations of qualified and bipartisan candidates who reside in these particular territories for consideration for appointment as voluntary Special Government Employees of these advisory committees.

These advisory committees will operate as Federal Advisory Committees under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and under the USCCR's jurisdiction, policies, and procedures for its advisory committees.

Nominations for membership on the advisory committees should be received on or before June 30th, the notice states and explained that the committees may be composed of eight to 15 members, and the committees must be bipartisan and reflect a diversity of viewpoints and experiences.

Furthermore, the Commission will appoint the members of each committee to a four-year term. The Commission will also appoint the Chair of each committee. Interested applicants may self-nominate or be nominated by another individual or organization. Self-nominations may apply directly at [https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/S7WCLL6].

“USCCR endeavors to ensure that the membership of the U.S. Territory advisory committees is fairly balanced in terms of political membership, points of view represented, and that individuals from a broad representation of gender, and ethnic and minority groups, as well as individuals with disabilities, are considered for membership,” according to the Commission notice.

Submission of comments on the intent to establish U.S. Territory Advisory Committees should be directed to Angelia Rorison, Director of Media and Communications, FOIA Public Liaison, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Suite 1150, Washington, DC 20425, ATTN: U.S. Territory Advisory Committees Establishment or via email at arorison@usccr.gov, SUBJECT: U.S. Territory Advisory Committees Establishment.

[More details on www.regulations.gov]