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The
President's Export Council (PEC) is the premier national advisory
committee on international trade. The Council advises the
President of government policies and programs that affect
U.S. trade performance; promotes export expansion; and provides
a forum for discussing and resolving trade-related problems
among the business, industrial, agricultural, labor, and government
sectors.
The
Council was established by Executive Order of the President
in 1973, but was originally composed only of business executives.
In 1979, the Council was reconstituted by Executive Order
12131 to include leaders of the labor and agriculture communities,
Congress, and the Executive Branch.
The
twenty-eight private-sector members of the Council are appointed
by the President. They serve "at the pleasure of the
President," with no set term of office. Five United States
Senators and five members of the House of Representatives
are appointed to the Council by the President of the Senate
and the Speaker of the House, respectively. The Secretaries
of Commerce, Agriculture, Energy, Labor, State, and Treasury;
the Chairman of the Export-Import Bank of the United States;
the U.S. Trade Representative; and the Administrator of the
Small Business Administration are also members of the Council.
The
Council maintains an Executive Committee and subcommittees
according to the Council's interests. Membership of these
subordinate committees is drawn from the Council's roster.
The Council also maintains the separately-chartered Subcommittee
on Export Administration (PECSEA), created in 1976, which
reviews export control issues. The President's Export Council
meets at least twice each year, usually in Washington, DC.
The Council's subcommittees may also hold meetings. President's
Export Council members do not receive compensation for their
service on the Council.
The
Council reports to the President through the Secretary of
Commerce. The Under Secretary of Commerce for International
Trade serves as the Council's Executive Director. The Advisory
Committees and Private Sector Programs Division of the Office
of Export Promotion and Coordination serves as the Executive
Secretariat for Council activities. J. Marc Chittum is the
Council's Executive Secretary and Staff Director and can be
reached at (202) 482-1124
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