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Statement by Secretary Gutierrez on House Ways and Means Committee Unanimously Passing U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement
Washington (Oct. 31)—Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today issued the following statement on the House Ways and Means Committee passing unanimously the U.S. - Peru Trade Promotion Agreement: “This unanimous, bipartisan vote in the House Ways and Means Committee reaffirms the importance America places on its friends and allies in Latin American and opening more markets for American workers, farmers and businesses.” (More)
Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Praises Strong Third Quarter GDP Growth
Washington (Oct. 31)—Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez (left) was joined by Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Dr. Edward P. Lazear for an economic briefing with reporters at the White House. Gutierrez released the following statement on the final estimate of real gross domestic product (GDP), which showed that the American economy grew at 3.9 percent in the third quarter of 2007. “Today’s GDP report showed a third quarter of strong growth fed by consumer spending, business investment and rising net exports.” (More)
Census Report Finds Parents More Active in Raising Their Children; Children Get Less Television Time
Washington (Oct. 31)—Parents are taking a more active role in the lives of their children than they did 10 years ago, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. For example, in 2004, 47 percent of teenagers had restrictions on what they watched on television, when they watched, and for how long, up from 40 percent in 1994. A Child’s Day: 2004 examines the well-being of children younger than 18 and provides an updated look into how they spend their days. (More)
Commerce’s NIST Hosts Conference on Forensics Technology
Gaithersburg, Md. (Oct. 31)—This week, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is hosting a conference that showcases the latest in forensics science and technology. Featuring top experts and leading vendors, the 2007 Techno Forensics Conference is devoted to promoting standardization in the field of digital evidence investigation. Presenters are discussing the latest information on topics from detecting high-tech identity theft to methods for retrieving secret messages hidden in visual images. (More)
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Gutierrez Encourages Strengthened Trade, Security and Mutual Partnership Between U.S., Canada
Washington (Oct. 30)—In remarks made to a joint meeting of the U.S. and Canadian Chambers of Commerce, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez highlighted the historical bonds uniting the two countries, including the promotion pf trade and the spread of democracy. Last year, trade between Canada and the U.S. exceeded a record high of $533 billion. (Remarks)
Gutierrez Visits Virginia School: “America is Safer When Our Schools Are Safer”
Fairfax County, Va. (Oct. 30)—Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined Education Secretary Margaret Spellings and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff at Mt. Vernon High School in addressing the importance of securing our nation’s schools. Secretary Gutierrez highlighted the importance of the NOAA public alert radios provided to thousands of schools with immediate 24/7 alert information in the event of severe weather or civil emergencies. “NOAA public alert radios arm communities with essential communication needed to save lives and property,” he said. (More)
Gutierrez Says Passage of Free Trade Agreements is Essential to Keep Momentum in Global Economy
Philadelphia (Oct. 29)—At a luncheon address to the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez highlighted the strength of the U.S. economy, focusing on export growth as a key factor. He noted that the passage of pending free trade agreements would further grow U.S. exports and create a stronger global economy. He said, “Our leadership is a driver of the global economy, not just our own. We must keep this momentum going.” (Remarks)
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Commerce’s NTIA Seeks Public Comment Regarding Joint Project Agreement with ICANN
Los Angeles (Oct. 29)—National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Administrator John M. R. Kneuer announced NTIA will consult with interested stakeholders regarding the mid-term review of the Joint Project Agreement (JPA) between the Department and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). “We feel strongly that our review must be informed by your experiences with ICANN and perspectives regarding its evolution,” said Kneuer at ICANN’s 30th meeting. (More)
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America Must Compete With Confidence in Global Economy, Says Gutierrez
Washington (Oct. 26)—Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez told the Council on Competitiveness annual meeting attendees that the “way to stay competitive in the 21st century is to compete with confidence.” The Secretary outlined a number of principles key to securing America’s competitiveness, including comprehensive immigration reform, encouraging and creating an environment for innovation and further opening global markets through free trade agreements and the successful completion of the Doha round of world trade talks. (Remarks)
NIST Licenses Systems to Help the Blind ‘See’ Images
Gaithersburg, Md. (Oct. 26)—A recently completed licensing agreement for two novel National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) technologies may help bring affordable graphic reading systems for the blind and visually impaired to market. Computer scientists and engineers at NIST have created two tactile graphic displays that bring electronic images to life for the blind and visually impaired in the same way that Braille makes words readable. (More)