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MBDA Director Discusses Diversity, DTV and Minority Businesses in California
San Francisco (Aug. 14)—Minority Business Development Agency National Director Ronald Langston is pictured during remarks to the 29th Annual California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce State Convention. He discussed the U.S. Census report “An Older and More Diverse Nation by Midcentury.” Langston also participated in the San Francisco Regional MED Week and visited Inglewood, Carson and Los Angeles, California to discuss the transition to Digital Television, address the 18th Annual Supplier Diversity Marketplace Conference and attend the California Black Chamber of Commerce conference and gala. (Remarks)
Census Bureau Projects Older and More Diverse Nation by Midcentury
Washington (Aug. 14)—The nation will be more racially and ethnically diverse, as well as much older, by midcentury, according to projections released today by the U.S. Census Bureau. Minorities, now roughly one-third of the U.S. population, are expected to become the majority in 2042, with the nation projected to be 54 percent minority in 2050. By 2023, minorities will comprise more than half of all children. In 2030, when all of the baby boomers will be 65 and older, nearly one in five U.S. residents is expected to be 65 and older. (More)
American Aquaculture: Good Food, Good Jobs, Good for the Economy
Seattle (Aug. 13)—U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary John J. Sullivan is in Seattle, Washington to commission the Okeanos Explorer, (“America’s Ship for Ocean Exploration”), the latest addition to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s fleet. He will also be visiting NOAA facilities including the Odyssey Maritime Discovery Center and the Manchester Research Station. Among the important topics he will discuss will be NOAA’s new report on Offshore Aquaculture in the United States and the framework it recommends for developing America's ocean aquaculture industry. The Deputy Secretary also authored an opinion-editorial in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer on aquaculture. (Opinion Editorial) (Ship Commissioning)
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Gutierrez Statement on June 2008 Trade Numbers
Washington (Aug. 12)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez issued the following statement on the release of the June 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 18.8 percent to $932.9 billion year-to-date (through June) over 2007. Imports increased 12.3 percent to $1,284.3 billion and the trade deficit narrowed 1.9 percent during the same time period. (More) (Fact Sheet)
Gutierrez Calls U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement a “Win-Win for Both Countries,” Stresses Open Markets, In Online Interactive Forum
Washington (Aug. 12)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez responded to questions submitted by the public in “Ask the White House,” an online, interactive forum. The Secretary took questions, explaining the purpose and benefits of a free trade agreement, particularly those pending with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. “Now more than ever, these FTAs are critical to America’s continued growth and competitiveness,” Gutierrez said. (More)
Departments of Commerce and Interior Propose Rule to Narrowly Change the Endangered Species Act
Washington (Aug. 12)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez issued the following statement on a proposed rule by the Departments of Commerce and Interior to narrowly change the Endangered Species Act consultation process: “As the President said in April, climate change is a serious issue that requires responsible international action, but the Endangered Species Act was not designed to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The proposed regulation provides much-needed guidance on this issue by clarifying the rules for federal consultations under the ESA.” (More)
Bush Administration More Than Quadruples 2009 Hurricane Forecast Improvement Budget Request to $17 Million
Washington (Aug. 11)—The Bush Administration is bolstering funding for hurricane research and forecast improvements by $13 million to accelerate the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientists’ ability to more accurately forecast tropical storms, hurricane intensity, the paths of these dangerous storms, and related storm surges. The $13 million increase to NOAA’s Hurricane Forecast Improvement Project is added to the original $4 million request for a total of $17 million for fiscal year 2009. (More)
Gutierrez Briefs Foreign Press About Upcoming Competitiveness Conference
Washington (Aug. 11)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez previewed the upcoming Americas Competitiveness Forum to members of the media at the Foreign Press Center. Nearly 1,000 leaders from across the Western Hemisphere, including President Uribe of Colombia, President Colom of Guatemala and President Saca of El Salvador will convene in Atlanta, Georgia next week for the Forum. The Forum brings business, government and academic leaders together to discuss actions that can be taken to improve competitiveness and economic prosperity in the Americas. (More) (Video and Transcript)
NOAA Predicts Above-Normal Atlantic Hurricane Season
Washington (Aug. 7)—In the August update to the Atlantic hurricane season outlook, NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center has increased the likelihood of an above-normal hurricane season and has raised the total number of named storms and hurricanes that may form. Forecasters attribute this adjustment to atmospheric and oceanic conditions across the Atlantic Basin that favor storm development - combined with the strong early season activity. (More)
Choice Photography, Jim McDonald
NIST Leader Calls for Commitment to Technology Innovation, Collaboration in Construction Industry
Keystone, Colo. (Aug. 7)—Progress in research, development, and the application of new technology will be essential to ensuring that the nation’s vast construction industry remains a world leader, James M. Turner, Deputy Director of the Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), saidThursday. The construction industry accounts for as much as one-seventh of the U.S. economy. Turner spoke at the 25th Anniversary Conference of the Construction Industry Institute (CII).CII is the industry’s principal technology forum. NIST is the primary federal research laboratory serving the construction and fire-safety industries. (More)