U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy

ACTION:

Notice of meeting.

The U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy will hold a public meeting from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m., Thursday, May 12, 2016 in Room SVC 203-02 of the Capitol Visitors Center, Senate Side on First Street NE., Washington, DC 20002.

The meeting's topic will be “Presidential Priorities for Public Diplomacy” and will feature officials from the National Security Council, U.S. Department of State and Broadcasting Board of Governors. Other representatives from the State Department will be in attendance.

This meeting is open to the public, members and staff of Congress, the State Department, Defense Department, the media, and other governmental and non-governmental organizations. To attend and make any requests for reasonable accommodation, email pdcommission@state.gov by 5 p.m. on Monday, May 9, 2016. Please arrive for the meeting by 9:45 a.m. to allow for a prompt meeting start.

The United States Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy appraises U.S. Government activities intended to understand, inform, and influence foreign publics. The Advisory Commission may conduct studies, inquiries, and meetings, as it deems necessary. It may assemble and disseminate information and issue reports and other publications, subject to the approval of the Chairperson, in consultation with the Executive Director. The Advisory Commission may undertake foreign travel in pursuit of its studies and coordinate, sponsor, or oversee projects, studies, events, or other activities that it deems desirable and necessary in fulfilling its functions.

The Commission consists of seven members appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. The members of the Commission represent the public interest and are selected from a cross section of educational, communications, cultural, scientific, technical, public service, labor, business, and professional backgrounds. Not more than four members are from any one political party. The President designates a member to chair the Commission.

The current members of the Commission are: Mr. William Hybl of Colorado, Chairman; Ambassador Lyndon Olson of Texas, Vice Chairman; Mr. Sim Farar of California, Vice Chairman; Ambassador Penne Korth-Peacock of Texas; Ms. Lezlee Westine of Virginia; and Ms. Anne Terman Wedner of Illinois.

Mr. Douglas Wilson of Delaware has been nominated by the President to fill the current vacancy on the Commission and Ms. Georgette Mosbacher of New York has been nominated by the President to replace Ms. Lezlee Westine. They are both currently awaiting Senate confirmation.

To request further information about the meeting or the U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy, you may contact its Executive Director, Katherine Brown, at BrownKA4@state.gov.