Presidential Advisory Committee
Final Report

Appendix B

A. COMMITTEE'S OFFICIAL DESIGNATION: Presidential Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses ("Committee").

B. AUTHORITY:

Executive Order No. 12961

C. OBJECTIVES, SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES, AND DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES FOR WHICH THE COMMITTEE IS RESPONSIBLE: The duties of the Committee are solely advisory. The Committee shall provide to the President, through the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, advice and recommendations based on its review of the following matters:

• 1. Research: epidemiological, clinical and other research concerning Gulf War veterans' illnesses.
• 2. Coordinating efforts: the activities of the Persian Gulf Veterans Coordinating Board, including the Research Coordinating Council, the Clinical Wording Group, and the Disability and Compensation Working Group.
• 3. Medical treatment: medical examinations and treatment in connection with Gulf Was veterans' illnesses, including the Comprehensive Clinical Evaluation Program and the Persian Gulf Registry Medical Examination Program.
• 4. Outreach: government-sponsored outreach efforts such as hotlines and newsletters relating to Gulf War veterans' illnesses.
• 5. External reviews: the steps taken to implement recommendation in external reviews by the Institute of Medicine's Committee to Review the Health Consequences of Service During the Persian Gulf War, the Defense Science Board Task Force on Persian Gulf War Health Efforts, the National Institutes of Health Technology Assessment Workshop on the Persian Gulf Experience and Health , the Persian Gulf Expert Scientific Committee, and other bodies.
• 6. Risk factors: the possible risks associated with service in the Persian Gulf Conflict in general and, specifically, with prophylactic drugs and vaccines, infectious diseases, environmental chemicals, radiation and toxic substances, smoke from oil well fires, depleted uranium, physical and psychological stress, and other factors applicable to the Persian Gulf Conflict.
• 7. Chemical and Biological Weapons: information related to reports of the possible detection of chemical or biological weapons during the Persian Gulf Conflict.

It shall not be a function of the Committee to conduct independent scientific research. The Committee shall review information and provide advice and recommendations on the activities undertaken related to the matters described above. It shall not be a function of the Committee to provide advice or recommendations on any legal liability of the Federal Government for any claims or potential claims against the Federal Government. As used herein, "Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses" means the symptoms and illnesses reported by Unites States uniformed services personnel who served in the Persian Gulf conflict.

D. OFFICIAL TO WHOM THE COMMITTEE REPORTS: The Committee shall report to the President through the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Secretary of Veterans Affairs. The Committee shall submit an interim report within six months of the first meeting of the Committee and a final report by December 31, 1996, unless otherwise provided by the President.

E. DURATION AND TERMINATION DATE: The Committee shall terminate thirty days after submitting its final report.

F. AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDE NECESSARY SUPPORT: Financial and administrative support shall be provided by the Department of Defense.

G. MEMBERSHIP: The President shall appoint up to a maximum of twelve (12) members. Committee members shall have expertise relevant to the functions of the Committee and shall not be full-time officials or employees of the executive branch of the Federal Government. Committee members shall be compensated in accordance with federal law. Committee members may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, to the extent permitted by law for persons serving intermittently in the government service (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707).

H. ESTIMATED ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS AND STAFF SUPPORT YEARS: It is estimated that the total annual costs of operations will not exceed $3.5 million. Full time equivalent staff support years are expected to be approximately 30 years of effort.

I. NUMBER OF MEETINGS: The Committee shall meet as it deems necessary to complete its functions.

J. SUBCOMMITTEE(S) : To facilitate functioning of the Committee, subcommittee (s) may be formed. The objectives of the subcommittee(s) are to provide advice and recommendations to the Committee with respect to matters related to the duties of the Committee. Subcommittees shall meet as the Committee deems appropriate.

K. CHAIRPERSON: The President shall designate a chairperson from among the members of the Committee.

L. DATE OF CHARTER FILED: JULY 3, 1995.

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Appendix C: Staff and Consultants