Top News
Massachusetts Organization Gets High Honors from Commerce Department
Worcester, Mass. (Nov. 29)—U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development (EDA) Sandy K. Baruah (far right) and U.S. Congressman James McGovern (second from left) presented the 2007 EDA Excellence in Economic Development award for Urban or Suburban Economic Development to Gateway Park LLC in Worcester, Mass. The award recognizes Gateway Park LLC’s commitment to sound, research-based, market-driven economic development in helping grow the local economy. (More)
Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Praises Robust Third Quarter GDP Growth
Los Angeles (Nov. 29)—Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released the following statement on the revised third quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) report, which showed that the American economy grew at 4.9 percent in the third quarter of 2007, the highest rate of GDP growth in four years: “In the face of real challenges, our resilient economy has now experienced six years of uninterrupted growth. As the holiday shopping season begins, I am pleased with today’s strong GDP report, coupled with the 1.68 million jobs added over the past year and low unemployment.” (More)
2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season Ends With Lower-Than-Expected Activity
Washington (Nov. 29)—As the 2007 Atlantic hurricane season officially comes to a close on November 30, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists are carefully reviewing a set of dynamic weather patterns that yielded lower-than-expected hurricane activity across the Atlantic Basin. As a result, the United States was largely spared from significant landfalling storms. However, several noteworthy events took place, including two back-to-back Category 5 hurricanes hitting Central America and the rapid near-shore intensification of the single U.S. landfalling hurricane. (More)
BEA Director Honored
Washington (Nov. 28)—Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Director J. Steven Landefeld (right) receives the Distinguished Service Award from Bob Shearer of the National Knowledge and Intellectual Property Management Task Force (NKIP). Dr. Landefeld was recognized for his leadership of BEA's efforts, in partnership with the NKIP task force and the private sector, to better measure intangible assets. (More)
NOAA Announces New National Ocean Awareness Campaign
Washington (Nov. 28)—The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the launch of a new national ocean literacy, education, and public awareness campaign featuring Sanctuary Sam, a California sea lion who will be the program’s “spokes-sea lion” from his SeaWorld-based home in Orlando, Fla. Appearing in a variety of communications and educational vehicles, Sanctuary Sam will help convey important messages to the American public—particularly children—about the marine environment. (More)
USPTO’s Deputy Chief Information Officer Recognized as Top Washington IT Leader
Washington (Nov. 27)—Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Commerce Department’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Deborah Diaz has been named an honoree by the Washington Business Journal in the fourth annual “Women Who Mean Business” awards program. The program recognizes the most successful and influential women in the region’s business community. Ms. Diaz is the sole government executive on the 2007 list and is recognized as a top Washington information technology leader and agent of change. (More)
NIST Measures Performance of Auto Crash Warning Systems
Gaithersburg, Md. (Nov. 27)—Engineers at the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed and tested a laser-based ranging system to assess the performance of automobile collision warning systems. Researchers in industry and at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will be able to use the NIST technology to accelerate the development and commercialization of safety systems that alert drivers to multiple, and sometimes virtually simultaneous potential crash hazards—both from forward or side collisions as well as from running off the road. (More)
NTIA to Host Next Meeting of Spectrum Management Advisory Committee
Washington (Nov. 26)—The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will host the next Spectrum Management Advisory Committee meeting at the U.S. Department of Commerce on December 6, 2007. The committee advises the Commerce Department on key elements of President Bush’s 21st Century Spectrum Policy Initiative for improving management of the nation’s airwaves and recommends approaches and strategies that enable the United States to remain a leader in the introduction of new wireless technologies. (More)
BIS Under Secretary Addresses Importance of Validated End-User Program with Senior Indian Officials
Washington (Nov. 21)—Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Mario Mancuso (third from left) met with a delegation of senior industry representatives from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to discuss the innovative Validated End-User (VEU) program. The India VEU program will enhance bilateral high technology trade and facilitate millions of dollars in additional U.S. high-technology exports to India, and will help U.S. exporters remain competitive in one of the fastest-growing markets for American companies. (More)
President Bush and Secretary Gutierrez Announce 2007 Baldrige Award Recipients
Washington (Nov. 20)—President George W. Bush and Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today announced that five organizations are the recipients of the 2007 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the nation’s highest Presidential honor for organizational performance excellence. For the first time in the history of the Baldrige Award, nonprofit organizations have been selected. (More)