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U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to Celebrate Vital Role of Trademarks
Alexandria, Va. (March 31)—The Commerce Department’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will highlight the vital role trademarks play in the global economy and private and public sector efforts to combat counterfeiting at the National Trademark Expo April 10—12, 2008. The Expo is free and open to the public and will feature exciting, interactive exhibits that illustrate the many kinds of trademarks—sound, configuration, color, motion and scent. (More)
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NIST Hosts Fire Safety Conference
Gaithersburg, Md. (March 31)—The Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Building and Fire Research Laboratory will sponsor an annual fire conference entitled, “How Have Fires Changed in the Past 50 Years?” from March 31—April 2. The conference will provide a forum for discussing fire-research projects that significantly affect first responders, firefighting technology, fire and building codes and standards, fire-resistant materials, and fundamental studies of combustion science. (More)
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NOAA Studies Pollutants in Ice-Free Region of Arctic
Washington (March 28)—A field study now under way is looking at the pollutants within the Arctic atmosphere—called “Arctic Haze”—including their sources, concentrations, and climate impact, in an ice-free region. “The study will focus in particular on short-lived pollutants that may be contributing to the accelerated warming in the Arctic relative to the global average warming,” said Patricia Quinn, a research chemist at NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory in Seattle and co-chief scientist of the study. (More)
EDA Announces $1 Million Investment to South Carolina
Union, S.C. (March 27)—The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs Patty Sheetz and U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham today presented a $1 million EDA investment check to Union County, Spartanburg Community College, and the city of Union, South Carolina. The investment will help build the Union Robotics Training Center and is expected to create 100 jobs and generate $54 million in private investment. (More)
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Statement by Secretary Gutierrez on Fourth Quarter GDP
Washington (March 27)—Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today released the following statement on the final fourth quarter real gross domestic product (GDP) report, which showed that the American economy grew at a rate of 0.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2007, unchanged from previous estimates: “Today’s report confirms that our economy was still growing at the end of 2007, but at a much slower rate than we would like. As we seek to help our economy get back on track, it is important we focus on the right problems.” (More)
Census Bureau Announces Top Fastest Growing Metro Areas
Washington (March 27)—The Commerce Department’s Census Bureau released estimates of metro and micro area population size and growth. Dallas-Fort Worth had the largest numeric gain of any metro area between 2006 and 2007, increasing by 162,250, according to July 1, 2007 estimates. Atlanta (151,063), Phoenix (132,513) and Houston (120,544) rounded out the metro areas with a gain of at least 100,000. The Midwest metro area with the greatest numeric change between July 1, 2006, and July 1, 2007, was Chicago. (More)
Gutierrez Observes Clean Energy Research, Addresses Pressing Economic Issues in Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska (March 26)—Researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks are studying methane “hotspots,” and the potential to capture methane emissions to be converted to clean energy. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez and Senator Ted Stevens (AK) are pictured observing methane emissions from arctic lakes in Fairbanks, Alaska. Gutierrez joined Stevens for a number of stops in the region, including a Chamber of Commerce luncheon where he delivered remarks on pressing economic issues including international trade and efforts to stimulate our nation’s economy. (Remarks)
NOAA Photo
NOAA to Study Ice Seals for Possible Listing Under Endangered Species Act
Washington (March 26)—The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has accepted a petition from a California environmental group seeking protection under the Endangered Species Act for an ice seal called the “ribbon seal” that inhabits Alaska’s Bering Sea. NOAA’s Fisheries Service has until the end of this year to prepare a status review and make a decision whether to list the ribbon seals. (More)
Gutierrez Discusses Trade and Economy in Fairbanks, Alaska
Fairbanks, Alaska (March 26)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez traveled to Alaska to show his appreciation for our men and women in uniform at the 40th annual Military Appreciation Banquet, address the Fairbanks Chamber of Commerce and discuss trade and the economy with students at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner featured an opinion editorial by the Secretary on the importance of passing pending free trade agreements in today’s paper. (Opinion Editorial)
Commerce Under Secretary Addresses Tech Executives in Los Angeles
Los Angeles (March 26)—Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and USPTO Director Jon Dudas delivered the opening keynote address at the 2nd Annual Tech Policy Summit, being held March 26-28 in Los Angeles, Calif. His remarks addressed current intellectual property issues including USPTO's cooperation with foreign patent offices, the pending patent modernization legislation and the need for higher quality patent applications. (More)