Top News
New Year Marks Half-Century of Broken Promises by Cuban Government and Abuse and Repression of Cuban People, Writes Gutierrez
Washington (Dec. 30)—“…the Cuban people have experienced the most tyrannical regime in the modern history of the Western Hemisphere, with the same political elite in power for the past 50 years, “wrote U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez in an opinion editorial printed in the Washington Times. “The prosperity Castro promised was never realized as the economy stagnated under the weight of communism.” (Opinion Editorial)
Census Bureau Projects U.S. Population of 305.5 Million on New Year’s Day
Washington (Dec. 29)—As our nation prepares to ring in the new year, the Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau projected the Jan. 1, 2009, total U.S. population will be 305,529,237—up 2,743,429, or 0.9 percent, from New Year’s Day 2008. In January 2009, one birth is expected to occur every eight seconds in the United States and one death every 12 seconds. Meanwhile, net international migration is expected to add one person every 36 seconds to the U.S. population in January 2009, resulting in an increase in the total U.S. population of one person every 14 seconds. (U.S. Population Clock)
NIST Atomic Clock Adds Leap Second for 2008
Boulder, Colo. (Dec. 24)—The Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) says the spin of the Earth is slowing down, adding a “leap second” to 2008 (also a “leap year”), thanks to the highly accurate atomic clocks developed by NIST and others around the world. No special adjustments need be made by us humans because most of the gadgets we use—computers, cell phones, GPS units, etc.—adjust themselves automatically. There have been 24 leap seconds added since the practice was begun in 1972, the last being in December 2005. (More)
MBDA and BIS Team Up to Assist Minority Entrepreneurs with Export Rules of the Road
Washington (Dec. 23)—The Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) and the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) have teamed up to provide information to the more than 4.1 million minority business owners in the United States. Through both MBDA’s and BIS’s network of centers and online, the agencies plan to provide information about export control policies, regulations and procedures in order to help minority businesses grow globally. (More)
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Statement by Secretary Gutierrez on Third Quarter GDP
Washington (Dec. 23)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez released the following statement on the final third quarter real gross domestic product (GDP), which showed that the U.S. economy declined at an annual rate of 0.5 percent in the third quarter of 2008: “Today’s GDP report further demonstrates that our economy continues to face critical challenges that directly affect families, workers and businesses throughout our nation.” (More)
Census Bureau: Utah is Fastest-Growing State
Washington (Dec. 22)—The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau reports that Utah was the nation’s fastest-growing state between July 1, 2007, and July 1, 2008, as its population climbed 2.5 percent to 2.7 million, according to estimates released today. Arizona was the second fastest-growing state, increasing 2.3 percent between 2007 and 2008. Texas, North Carolina and Colorado completed the top five, each with a growth rate of 2.0 percent. Nevada, which had been among the four fastest-growing states each of the last 24 years, grew 1.8 percent and ranked eighth over the most recent period. (More)
Secretary Gutierrez Statement on the Auto Industry
Washington (Dec. 19)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez made the following statement following the announcement by President Bush that the administration would provide American auto manufacturers an initial $13.4 billion in short-term financing from the Troubled Asset Relief Program: “Our economy is fragile and facing continued challenges, and the auto industry is teetering on the edge. Today’s announcement delivers an important lifeline for the American auto industry and the millions of jobs it contributes to our economy. The bridge financing provided will give the industry breathing room to become viable and competitive. When Congress failed to act, the administration had no choice but to put the health of the entire economy first, and help the industry build a bridge to the future.” (More) (President Bush’s Remarks)
NTIA Marks Two Months to Digital TV Transition, Announces 76 Percent of Reliant Households Have Requested Coupons
Washington (Dec. 17)—The Commerce Department's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced that with two months until the transition to digital television concludes, 76 percent of all households that rely on television with an antenna have requested coupons from the TV Converter Box Coupon Program. The program helps households switch to digital television when full-power TV broadcasters transition from analog to 100 percent digital broadcasts on February 17, 2009. (More) (DTV Statistics and Background)
Health Care Costs, Biofuel Use Among Subjects in Census Bureau’s 2009 Statistical Abstract
Washington (Dec. 17)—The U.S. Census Bureau released the new Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2009. First published in 1878, “Uncle Sam’s Almanac” is a summary of statistics on a wide range of important topics, from A (aquaculture) to Z (zinc production). Whether one seeks numbers on biofuel or banking, foreign trade or foreign aid, cars or bars, there is no better one-stop shop for statistics. For example, the average length of stay for patients at community hospitals declined from 7.2 days in 1990 to 5.5 days in 2006. (More)
Secretary Gutierrez Discusses the Costs and Consequences of the Cuban Revolution
Washington (Dec. 16)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez delivered remarks on Cuba at the Heritage Foundation as part of an ongoing series Cuba at the Crossroads. He discussed the upcoming 50th anniversary of communist rule in January, U.S. Cuban relations, and the need for democratic change in Cuba. Gutierrez stressed the need for U.S. policy to continue to focus on democracy and human rights in Cuba. (Remarks) (Video)