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Secretary Gutierrez Speaks to American Entrepreneurs About Administration’s Trade Accomplishments
Washington (Nov. 18)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez spoke about the importance of trade—and its role in ensuring our nation’s future prosperity at a Small Business Administration (SBA) trade symposium. “Exports were $1 trillion in 2001. At present rates, America’s exports will be approaching $2 trillion this year… and exports account for essentially all the growth in our economy so far this year,” Gutierrez said. An important step that will give our economy the stimulus it urgently needs would be passing the three pending free trade agreements before Congress, especially Colombia. (Remarks) (Video) (Fact Sheet)
Secretary Gutierrez Congratulates 2008 Corporate Citizenship Award Winners
Washington (Nov. 18)—Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez addressed business leaders at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Annual Corporate Citizenship Awards Dinner. The awards honor businesses that are making our communities better places for people to work and live, and are having a genuine impact on our society and our world. Secretary Gutierrez thanked this year’s winners for their efforts in giving back to local communities.
Secretary Gutierrez Urges Action in the Three Months Before Digital Transition Conclusion
Washington (Nov. 17)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released the following statement on the three-month mark before all full-power TV broadcasters will switch from analog to 100 percent digital broadcasts on February 17, 2009:“Three months from today, all households using antennas with analog TVs will be impacted by the switch to digital broadcast. This upcoming switch requires immediate attention by those households. If they don’t act soon, they will find themselves without access to television.” (More)
NIST Findings: Nanoparticles in the Home More and Smaller Than Previously Detected
Gaithersburg, Md. (Nov. 14)—Extremely small nanoscale particles are released by common kitchen appliances in abundant amounts, greatly outnumbering the previously detected, larger-size nanoparticles emitted by these appliances, according to new findings by researchers at Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). So-called “ultrafine particles” (UFP) range in size from 2 to 10 nanometers. They are emitted by motor vehicles and a variety of indoor sources and have attracted attention because of increasing evidence that they can cause respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. (More)
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Gutierrez: Open Markets are the Best Economic Stimulus
Washington (Nov. 13)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez issued the following statement on the release of the September 2008 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report by the Department’s U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Today’s report shows that U.S. exports increased by 8.8 percent compared to September 2007. It also shows that U.S. exports increased by 16.9 percent to $1,415.2 billion year-to-date (through September) over 2007. (More) (Fact Sheet)
Creating an Environment for Innovation Has Been Key to Administration’s Competitiveness Agenda, Gutierrez tells Council on Competitiveness
Washington (Nov. 12)—“The way that the President thinks about it is that the job of the public sector is to create an environment so that innovators can do what they do best,” U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez said in remarks to the Council on Competitiveness. Gutierrez highlighted advances over the past eight years in basic research funding for new technologies, universal broadband access, the digital television transition which frees up spectrum for new products and greater communications interoperability for first responders, and opening international markets for U.S. goods and services. (Remarks)
Commerce’s NTIA Releases TV Converter Box Coupon Program Request Rate by TV Market with 100 Days to DTV Transition
Washington (Nov. 10)—The Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced updated participation rates by television market and that 62 percent of all over-the-air households, those that rely on an antenna for broadcast TV, have requested coupons from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. The program helps households switch to digital television when full-power TV broadcasters transition from analog to 100 percent digital broadcasts on February 17, 200—100 days from today. (More) (Statistics and Background)
Statement by Secretary Gutierrez on October’s Employment Report
Washington (Nov. 7)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez today released the following statement on the October Employment Report, which showed that the unemployment rate is 6.5 percent: “Today’s report reflects the effect of the distressed credit markets on our economy and is disappointing for many families throughout our country. We strongly believe that any American who wants to work should be able to find and keep a good job.” (More)
“Commerce Helps Freedom and Freedom Helps Commerce,” Gutierrez Says of Administration’s Accomplishments in Spreading Freedom and Democracy
Washington (Nov. 6)—Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez spoke at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars about the Bush Administration’s achievements in spreading freedom and democracy through commerce. From Iraq to Afghanistan, to Georgia and throughout Latin America, where entrepreneurs, free enterprise and innovators flourish, so does creativity, prosperity and increasingly freedom. “Free trade agreements work. They work for both sides … [and] probably the single biggest example that I can think of for commerce to make a difference is for Congress to approve the free trade agreement with Colombia,” Secretary Gutierrez said. (Remarks) (Video) (Fact Sheet)
Secretary Gutierrez Ensures Smooth Commerce Transition
Washington (Nov. 6)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez issued the following statement on the transition: “The Department of Commerce welcomes members of the new Administration and we look forward to working with them to ensure a seamless transition. We have taken a series of important steps to ensure that the incoming team quickly understands the Department’s ongoing work and has immediate access to necessary resources. We are committed to ensuring that the Department continues to serve the American people with the highest level of efficiency and professionalism.” (More) (Fact Sheet)