Top News
Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Declares Fishery Resource Disaster for Gulf of Mexico
Miami (Sept. 17)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez announced a formal determination of a fishery resource disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, due to the devastation following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. “The economic impacts of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike on fishing communities in the Gulf of Mexico will hurt these communities,” Gutierrez said. “We have a lot of work to do, but this disaster determination is an important step in the recovery process.” Secretary Gutierrez is in Miami, Fla. today to visit the National Hurricane Center and discuss the U.S. government’s efforts to provide hurricane disaster relief to the Gulf Coast. (More)
25th Anniversary of the JCCT Convenes at the Nixon Library and Birthplace in California
Yorba Linda, Calif. (Sept. 16)—The 19th Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), was held at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace Foundation. The JCCT is a high-level government-to-government forum to address trade and investment issues. Pictured from the right is U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan, Chinese Commerce Minister Chen Deming and Chinese Customs Minister Sheng Guangzu. (Outcomes) (25th Anniversary Fact Sheet)
Gutierrez Announces Nursing Home Residents and P.O. Box Households Eligible to Receive Converter Box Coupons
Washington (Sept. 16)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez announced residents of licensed nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, assisted living facilities and households that use a post office box for mail delivery will be eligible to request coupons from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. The rule change takes effect 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. “Allowing nursing home residents and households who rely on a post office box for their mail to request coupons helps those most in need to make the switch to digital television,” Gutierrez said. (More)
EDA Presents $2 Million Investment Check to District of Columbia
Washington (Sept. 16)—Economic and Development Administration (EDA) Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Patty Sheetz (far right) presented Mayor Adrian Fenty, U.S. Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton and Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee James Oberstar a $2 million EDA investment check to the Government of the District of Columbia. This investment will support restoration and upgrade of the District of Columbia’s historic Eastern Market, which was severely damaged by fire in April 2007. (More)
Gutierrez and Schwab Tour Port of Los Angeles to Highlight Importance of Passing Free Trade Agreement with South Korea
Los Angeles (Sept. 15)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab toured the Port of Los Angeles on the Angelena II to view port operations, discuss the impact of free trade agreements on port activities, and received a briefing on the economic impact of the port to the U.S. Economy. They are pictured here at a media availability at Bert 84 where the Angelena II docks.
Gutierrez and Schwab Kick Off 25th Anniversary of JCCT in California
Yorba Linda, Calif. (Sept. 15)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab host Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan at the Nixon Library and Birthplace Foundation for the 25th anniversary of the Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT). On a tour of the library, Gutierrez, Schwab and the Vice Premier are pictured along with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer and library Director Timothy Naftali observe the bronze sculpture of the historic handshake between former U.S. President Nixon and former Chinese Vice Premier Zhou Enlai in 1972. The JCCT meeting Sept. 16, 2008 at the Library will focus on issues of market access, intellectual property and transparency. (Toast at Opening Anniversary Dinner)
Secretary Gutierrez Statement on Third Offer to Cuba for Humanitarian Assistance
Los Angeles (Sept. 15)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released the following statement after a third U.S. offer to send humanitarian aid to Cuba was turned down:“On September 13, the U.S. government agreed to offer Cuba humanitarian assistance without the visit of an assessment team. Yesterday the Cuban regime rejected our third offer to provide immediate assistance to those Cubans who are suffering from the devastation of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. (More)
Large and Dangerous Hurricane Ike Approaching Texas Coast
Washington (Sept. 12)—The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Hurricane Center continues to monitor Hurricane Ike and a hurricane warning remains in effect from Morgan City, Louisiana to Baffin Bay, Texas. Hurricane conditions are expected to reach the coast in the warning area later today. Ike is a category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 105 miles per hour. Preparations to protect life and property in this area should be rushed to completion. (Advisory) (Hurricane Preparedness)
NASA Satellite Photo
Secretary Gutierrez Statement on Cuba Declining U.S. Humanitarian Team Offer for Second Time
Washington (Sept. 11)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released the following statement after a second U.S. offer for a humanitarian assessment team was turned down: “The safety and welfare of the Cuban people is our highest concern in the wake of hurricanes Gustav and Ike and although the Cuban Government has declined the offer of a humanitarian assessment team, we remain willing to send one. We are evaluating how best to provide additional humanitarian relief for Cuban victims of this disaster.” (More)
File Photo
Secretary Gutierrez Urges Congress to Approve Pending Free Trade Agreements
Washington (Sept. 11)—U. S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today issued the following statement on the release of the July 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 18.3 percent to $1.1 trillion year-to-date (through July) over 2007. Imports also increased 12.9 percent to $1.5 trillion and the trade deficit increased one percent during the same time period. “Record exports continue to drive America’s economic growth,” Gutierrez said. “The trade deficit is higher because petroleum imports continue to be a drag on the economy.” (More) (Fact Sheet)