Press Release

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gutierrez Announces Technology Council

Council to Coordinate Technology Policy Across Diverse Department

WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez today announced the creation of the Department of Commerce Technology Council, a department-wide council led by the Office of the Secretary to coordinate technology policy and provide a forum for information-sharing, analysis and deliberation of technology policy issues that cut across the diverse range of agencies within the Commerce Department.

“Technological innovation has evolved to a point where it plays a critical role in competitiveness and impacts every sector of the economy,” said Secretary Gutierrez. “The creation of this council will assist in providing sound and coordinated policies across the Department and help America keep its competitive edge in the world economy.”

The technology policy issues affecting American competitiveness are broad and are represented across the entire Department of Commerce. A comprehensive technology policy must, for example, consider communication and information issues such as spectrum, foster international trade while considering national security, support research and development, protect intellectual property rights, and measure the impact of policy changes.

Through its diverse range of agencies, the Commerce Department is at the forefront of critical technology-related issues including management of our nation’s airwaves for first responder communications, ensuring a successful transition to digital television, leading the way in nanotechnology research, maintaining our nation’s weather satellites, combating piracy and enforcing intellectual property rights, and monitoring high technology trade and technology transfers.

The council will consist of the heads of Commerce agencies, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the International Trade Administration, the Bureau of Industry and Security and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The council will be chaired by the Senior Advisor for Technology and Privacy and Director of the Department's Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, Joel Harris.

Harris has served as a Senior Policy Advisor to Secretary Gutierrez since November, providing counsel on immigration and technology issues. Prior to joining the Commerce Department, Harris served in the White House in the Office of Strategic Initiatives. Earlier in his career, he served as a policy advisor to former Colorado Governor Bill Owens on electronic commerce and other tech issues.

The America Competes Act, recently passed by Congress and signed by the President, eliminated the Department’s Technology Administration. In place of a single technology agency, the Technology Council will be led by the Office of the Secretary and will leverage and coordinate technology policy across the Department.

Consistent with the President’s American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI), the Commerce Department’s Technology Council recognizes the critical importance of science and technology to America’s long-term competitiveness and will strive to pursue pro-growth economic policies that create a business environment where innovators and entrepreneurs are rewarded