programs which effectively support accomplishment of their primary missions. The Office also works with other Federal agencies on demonstration projects to explore potential improvements in personnel systems and better and simpler ways to manage Federal personnel.

Employee Benefits The Office also manages numerous activities that directly affect the well-being of the Federal employee and indirectly enhance employee effectiveness. These include health benefits, life insurance, and retirement benefits.

Other Personnel Programs The Office coordinates the temporary assignment of employees between Federal agencies and State, local, and Indian tribal governments; institutions of higher education; and other eligible organizations for up to 2 years, for work of mutual benefit to the participating organizations. It administers the Presidential Management Intern Program, which provides 2-year, excepted appointments with Federal agencies to recipients of graduate degrees in appropriate disciplines. In addition, the Office of Personnel Management administers the Federal Merit System Standards, which apply to certain grantaided State and local programs. Federal Executive Boards Federal Executive Boards (FEB's) were established by Presidential directive (a memorandum for heads of Federal departments and agencies dated November 13, 1961) to improve internal Federal management practices and to provide a central focus for Federal participation in civic affairs in major metropolitan centers of Federal activity. They carry out their functions under OPM supervision and control.

Federal Executive Boards serve as a means for disseminating information within the Federal Government and for promoting discussion of Federal policies and activities of importance to all Federal executives in the field. Each Board is composed of heads of Federal field offices in the metropolitan area. A Chairman is elected annually from

among the membership to provide overall leadership to the Board's operations. Committees and task forces carry out interagency projects consistent with the Board's missions.

Federal Executive Boards are located in 28 metropolitan areas that are important centers of Federal activity. These areas are: Albuquerque-Santa Fe, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, DallasFort Worth, Denver, Detroit, HonoluluPacific, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Newark, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland, St. Louis, San Antonio, San Francisco, Seattle, and the Twin Cities (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

Federal Executive Associations, Councils, or Committees have been locally organized in over 100 other metropolitan areas to perform functions similar to the Federal Executive Boards but on a lesser scale of organization and activity.

For further information, contact the Assistant for Regional Operations, Office of Personnel Management, Room 5H22L, 1900 E Street NW., Washington, DC 20415-0001. Phone, 202-6061001.

Sources of Information

Contracts Contact the Chief, Contracting Division, Office of Personnel Management, Washington, DC 204150001. Phone, 202-606-2240. Employment Federal Job Information Centers, located in major metropolitan areas, provide Federal employment information. To obtain the appropriate telephone number, check the blue pages under U.S. Government, Office of Personnel Management. For information about employment opportunities within the Office of Personnel Management, contact the Director for Human Resources. Phone, 202-606-2400. Publications The Chief, Publications Services Division, can provide information about Federal personnel management publications. Phone, 202606-1822.

Activities

The Office of Special Counsel (OSC) was established on January 1, 1979, by Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1978 (5) U.S.Č. app.). The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 1101 note), which became effective on January 11, 1979, enlarged its functions and powers. Pursuant to provisions of the Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989 (5 U.S.C. 1211 et seq.), OSC functions as an independent investigative and prosecutorial agency within the executive branch which litigates before the Merit Systems Protection Board.

The primary role of OSC is to protect employees, former employees, and applicants for employment from prohibited personnel practices, especially reprisal for whistleblowing. Its basic areas of statutory responsibility are: -receiving and investigating allegations of prohibited personnel practices and other activities prohibited

by civil service law, rule, or regulation and, if warranted, initiating corrective or disciplinary action;

-providing a secure channel through which information evidencing a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health or safety may be disclosed without fear of retaliation and without disclosure of identity, except with the employee's consent; and

-enforcing the provisions of the Hatch Act.

Sources of Information

Field offices are located in Dallas, TX (Room 7C30, 1100 Commerce Street, 75242; phone, 214-767-8871) and Oakland, CA (Suite 365S, 1301 Clay Street, 94612-5217; phone, 510-6373460).

The Panama Canal Commission was established as an independent agency in the executive branch of the Government by the Panama Canal Act of 1979 (22 U.S.C. 3601).

The Commission is supervised by a nine-member Board of which not fewer than five members are nationals of the United States, with the remaining members being nationals of the Republic of Panama. All members of the Board are appointed by the President. The members who are United States nationals are appointed with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Activities

The Commission was established by Congress on October 1, 1979, to carry out the responsibilities of the United States with respect to the Panama Canal under the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977. In fulfilling these obligations, the Commission manages, operates, and

maintains the Canal, its complementary works, installations, and equipment, and provides for the orderly transit of vessels through the Canal. This U.S. agency will perform these functions until the treaty terminates on December 31, 1999, at which time the Republic of Panama will assume full responsibility for the Canal.

Sources of Information

Marine Operations Director, Marine Bureau, Panama. Phone, 011-507-2724500.

Economic and Marketing Information Director, Office of Executive Planning, Panama. Phone, 011-507-272-7961. Procurement Office of Logistical Support, 4400 Dauphine Street, New Orleans, LA 70146-6800. Phone, 504948-5299.

Panama Canal Commission Unit 2300, APO AA 34011-2300. Telex, 3034 PCCAMRM PG.