§4356 Advisory Committee

Summary

Creates a permanent Advisory Committee on Historical Diplomatic Documentation at the State Department, run by the Office of the Historian. The committee has 9 members plus an executive secretary (the Historian). The Secretary of State picks the members from distinguished historians, political scientists, archivists, international lawyers, or other social scientists who have done substantial research on U.S. foreign relations. No federal government employee may serve. Six members must come from lists of nominees submitted by these groups: the American Historical Association; the Organization of American Historians; the American Political Science Association; the Society of American Archivists; the American Society of International Law; and the Society for Historians of American Foreign Relations. If a group misses the deadline, the Secretary may choose from other nominee lists. Members normally serve three-year terms that start on September 1. The first set of members is staggered so three serve one year, three serve two years, and three serve three years. Vacancies are filled the same way and appointees finish the unexpired term. Members can stay until a successor is named and may be reappointed. The committee picks a chair for a one-year term who may be reelected. A majority is a quorum, and the group must meet at least quarterly. Members get required security clearances and are treated as having a need to know for classified records. They may be paid up to the daily equivalent of the GS‑15 rate (5 U.S.C. 5332) for days worked and receive travel and per diem under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5. The Secretary can provide staff help, and chapter 10 of title 5 does not apply where it conflicts with these rules.