Skip to Main Content Skip to Left Navigation Skip to Footer
DTV Info

United States of America

Department of Commerce

Commerce Seal montage illustrating the work Commerce does
 
Print without left or right navigation

Top News

Secretary at podium with U.S. flag in background.

File Photo

Gutierrez Expresses Continued Support for Free Trade

Washington (Jan. 13)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez issued the following statement on the release of the November 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 14.1 percent to $1.7 trillion year-to-date (through November) over 2007.Imports also increased 9.3 percent to $2.3 trillion and the trade deficit narrowed 1.8 percent during the same time period. (More) (Fact Sheet)


Photo of dolphins in ocean.

NOAA Gives Navy Marine Mammal Protection Measures for Sonar Training off Hawaii

Washington (Jan. 12)—The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Fisheries Service has issued regulations and a letter of authorization to the U.S. Navy to impact marine mammals while conducting training exercises around the main Hawaiian Islands. The Navy requested authorization under the Marine Mammal Protection Act because the mid-frequency sound generated by tactical active sonar, and the sound and pressure generated by detonating explosives, may affect the behavior of some marine mammals or cause a temporary loss of their hearing. (More)


From left to right: Dennis Johnson (director of the U.S. Census Bureau's Kansas City Regional Office), U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.), St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay and  Arnold Jackson (Census Bureau's associate director for the decennial census). Click here for larger image.

Census Bureau Opens Local Office in St. Louis

St. Louis, Mo. (Jan. 10)—U.S. Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.) and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay joined Census Bureau officials in officially opening the local census office in St. Louis. This office will employ about 1,000 during peak operations for the 2010 Census. The Census Bureau is expected to open about 500 local census offices across the country and hire approximately 1.4 million people for the 2010 Census. (More)


Department of Commerce seal.

Statement by Secretary Gutierrez on December’s Employment Report

Washington (Jan. 9)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez released the following statement on the December Employment Report, which showed that the unemployment rate is 7.2 percent: “This is a very challenging time for our economy. Today’s report shows that unfortunately more Americans are out of work. We do not like to see a single citizen lose his or her job, so today’s news is extremely disappointing. Our nation is going through a trying period, but just as we have weathered challenges in the past—from the recession to the attacks of September 11th to corporate scandals to devastating natural disasters—our country will make it through this difficult time as well.” (More)


Gutierrez gesturing with both hands during remarks. Click for larger image.

Gutierrez: Environmental Stewardship is Critical to the Economy and Safety and Well-Being of the American People

Silver Spring, Md. (Jan. 8)—Speaking to Commerce’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez noted recent advances in environmental research, conservation and prediction. “Over the past eight years, the Bush Administration, the Commerce Department and NOAA have been aggressively working to increase our scientific knowledge and preserve the precious legacy of healthy oceans and sustainable marine resources,” Gutierrez said. (Remarks) (Fact Sheet) (Video)


Economic Development Administration logo.

Commerce Secretary Invites Applications for Disaster Assistance to States Impacted by 2008 Storms

Washington (Jan. 8)—In response to hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters occurring during 2008, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez today announced that the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is now accepting applications to support long-term post-disaster economic recovery through an additional $400 million in emergency funding provided through a Second Supplemental under the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, signed into law on September 30, 2008. (More)


Image of fan-shaped coral,  Pavona duerdeni. Click for larger image.

President Bush Discusses Conservation and the Environment, Designates Three New Marine Protected Areas in Pacific Ocean

Washington (Jan. 6)—President George W. Bush has created three new marine protected areas in the central and western Pacific Ocean protecting nearly 200,000 square miles. In his remarks, Bush said “The benefits of today's decision reach far beyond nature. The monuments will preserve sites of cultural and spiritual significance to native peoples. They will ensure full freedom of navigation, and include measures to uphold training missions and other military operations. And they will open the door to new economic benefits in the Territories.” (Remarks) (Fact Sheet)


Photo of Juliana Blackwell, the new director of NOAA's National Geodetic Survey.

NOAA Names First Woman to Direct National Geodetic Survey

Washington (Jan. 5)—The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced Juliana P. Blackwell has been named the new director of NOAA’s Office of National Geodetic Survey where she will oversee NOAA's responsibilities for the nation's spatial reference system. She is the first woman to head the nation's oldest federal science agency which was established by President Thomas Jefferson in 1807 as the Survey of the Coast. (More)