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NOAA Administrator Addresses Coastal Zone Conference
Portland, Ore. (July 23)—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr. addressed the Coastal Zone 07 conference, which brings together more than 1,000 people from federal, state, and local governments; academia; nonprofit organizations; and private industry. Lautenbacher discussed NOAA’s focus on regional collaboration as a method to more effectively utilize agency resources to address local issues. (Remarks)
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Gutierrez Announces National Summit on American Competitiveness
Washington (July 23)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez announced a national meeting of private and public sector officials that will focus on promoting innovation and economic development across the United States. This summit will be hosted by the Commerce Department on September 18, 2007 in Washington, D.C. “The National Summit on American Competitiveness provides an opportunity to highlight the progress we’ve made and the need for America to continually advance strategies that keep our country on the competitive edge,” said Gutierrez. (More)
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EDA Presents $1 Million Investment to All Indian Pueblo Council
Albuquerque (July 20)—U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Benjamin Erulkar and U.S. Congresswoman Heather Wilson presented a $1 million EDA investment check to the All Indian Pueblo Council (AIPC) in Albuquerque, N.M. The investment will help install infrastructure at a 48-acre site that will be home to major commercial, hotel, and retail investments in an underdeveloped area of Albuquerque. The project is expected to attract $3 million in private investment to the Albuquerque area and create 200 new jobs. (More)
Gutierrez Celebrates Colombia Independence Day
Washington (July 20)—Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez (left) and Colombian Ambassador to the United States Carolina Barco Isakson (right) delivered remarks at the White House Colombian Independence Day celebration. The Secretary congratulated members of the Colombian-American community on their nation’s achievement as well as encouraged the passage of the U.S-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. (More)
Secretaries Gutierrez, Chertoff Announce Nearly $1 Billion in First Responder Communications Grants
Washington (July 18)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez and U.S. Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Michael Chertoff today announced the $968 million in Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) grants to help state and local first responders improve public safety communications and coordination during a natural or man-made disaster. (Release) (Remarks) (State Allocations) (Fact Sheet) (FAQ)
Gutierrez Discusses Administration Trade Agenda, Announces National Export Strategy and Vietnam Trade Mission
Washington (July 17)—At the 25th Annual Washington Trade Gala, U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez laid out the Bush Administration's trade agenda and highlighted the need for Congressional action on the Peru, Colombia, Panama and Korea Free Trade Agreements. The Secretary also announced the release of the National Export Strategy as well as a trade mission he will be leading to Vietnam later this year. (Speech) (Release) (Report)
Commerce Officials Discuss Creation of First Ever Financial Exchange Focused on Intellectual Property
Chicago (July 17)—Department of Commerce Under Secretary for Technology Robert Cresanti addressed the opening session and Bureau of Economic Analysis Director Steve Landefeld (pictured here) was a featured speaker at a symposium focused on launching IPX Chicago, the world’s first financial exchange with an intellectual property focus. The event was sponsored by the National Knowledge and Intellectual Property Management Task Force, Ocean Tomo, Chicago Board of Options Exchange, the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago Board of Trade and the University of Chicago.
Secretary Gutierrez Encourages Future Hispanic Leaders
Washington (July 17)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez spoke to a group of summer interns about the importance of education and leadership at the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute’s Future Leaders Conference. He also discussed issues such as trade, the economy, comprehensive immigration reform and the importance of a strong U.S. relationship with our neighbors in Latin America.
2007 Starts Warmer, Drier than Average for Much of U.S.
Asheville, N.C. (July 17)—Warmer and drier-than-average conditions dominated much of the U.S. in the first half of 2007, according to scientists at NOAA’s National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C. Lack of precipitation led to widespread drought, triggering an early start to the wildfire season, crop losses and local drought emergencies. Drought in the southern and central plains gave way to heavy rains, leading to flooding from Texas to Kansas in June. (More)
National Medal of Technology
Secretary Gutierrez Congratulates 2006 National Medal of Technology Laureates
Washington (July 16)—Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez congratulated the 2006 National Medal of Technology Laureates, announced by the White House. The Secretary hailed the five Laureates as leaders of U.S. technological advancement, whose combined achievements have helped put the U.S. in a position of economic strength. (More)