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Deputy Under Secretary Nancy Potok Receives Distinguished Public Service Award

Submitted on May 2, 2011 - 12:51pm

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2011 – Deputy Under Secretary Nancy Potok received the Distinguished Public Service Award from the George Washington University Chapter of Pi Alpha Alpha, a national honor society formed to encourage and recognize outstanding scholarship and accomplishment in public affairs and administration. Established in 1974, Pi Alpha Alpha and its more than 39,000 members seek to advance the ideals of integrity, professionalism, and creative performance in public service. The award ceremony was preceded by an induction dinner for new members of the chapter, where Dr. Potok delivered remarks. Dr. Potok holds a Ph.D. from the University’s Trachtenberg School for Public Policy and Public Administration.

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Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on New Residential Construction in March 2011

Submitted on April 19, 2011 - 9:07am
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WASHINGTON – The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau today released data on new residential construction in March 2011. Permits for new housing units increased 11.2 percent, significantly exceeding private-sector expectations of a 3.0-percent rise. Housing starts increased 7.2 percent, compared with private-sector expectations of a 10.0-percent rise.

“Despite continued volatility, today’s numbers show welcome growth within the housing market,” U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said. “With 230,000 private-sector jobs added in March in industries from manufacturing to education to construction, there are positive signs for widespread growth throughout the economy and a stronger housing market in the coming year.”

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Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on Retail Sales in March 2011

Submitted on April 13, 2011 - 9:11am
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WASHINGTON – The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau today released retail sales data for March 2011. Retail sales rose 0.4 percent, slightly below private-sector expectations. Retail and food services sales, excluding autos, were up 0.8 percent, consistent with private-sector expectations. Motor vehicle sales fell 1.7 percent, and sales at gasoline stations jumped 2.6 percent. Sales at gasoline stations comprise about 10 percent of total retail sales.

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Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on February 2011 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services

Submitted on April 12, 2011 - 9:31am
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke issued the following statement today on the release of the February 2011 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report by the Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Today’s report showed that U.S. exports of goods and services in February 2011 decreased 1.4 percent from January 2011 to $165.1 billion, with record exports of services ($47.2 billion). U.S. imports of goods and services decreased 1.7 percent over this period to $210.9 billion, causing the U.S. trade deficit to decrease 2.6 percent since January 2011 to reach $45.8 billion in February 2011.

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Under Secretary Blank Attends Ron Brown Dedication

Submitted on April 6, 2011 - 2:12pm
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New York, NY, Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - Commerce Department Under Secretary for Economic Affairs Rebecca M. Blank attended the dedication for the new United States’ United Nations Mission building in honor of the late U. S. Commerce Department Secretary Ronald H. Brown. Former Secretary Brown lost his life while on a trade mission to Croatia 15 years ago.

Statement from U.S. Commerce Department Chief Economist Mark Doms on Personal Income and Outlays in February 2011

Submitted on March 28, 2011 - 9:24am
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WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis today released data on personal income and outlays for February 2011. Personal income increased 0.3 percent in February, nearly consistent with private-sector forecasts of a 0.4-percent increase. Wages and salaries rose a favorable 0.3 percent. Real consumer spending also increased 0.3 percent in February and has risen a moderate 1.0 percent at an annual rate above its fourth-quarter average. Additionally, personal income figures for both December and January were revised upward.

Statement from U.S. Commerce Department Acting Deputy Secretary Rebecca Blank on the Third Estimate of GDP for the 4th Quarter of 2010

Submitted on March 25, 2011 - 10:54am
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WASHINGTON, Friday, March 25, 2011 – The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis today released the third estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) for the fourth quarter of 2010. Real GDP grew 3.1 percent at an annual rate, higher than the previous estimate of 2.8 percent and exceeding private sector expectations. The increase in GDP is a result of higher private investment and inventories than were originally reported.

Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on New Residential Construction in February 2011

Submitted on March 16, 2011 - 10:12am
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WASHINGTON, March 16, 2011 – The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau today released data on new residential construction in February 2011. Permits for new housing units fell 8.2 percent in February, while private-sector analysts had expected a small 1.2-percent rise. Housing starts dropped 22.5 percent in February. Private-sector analysts had expected a moderate 4.4-percent decline. However, analysts still generally expect a notable pick-up in housing activity for both 2011 and 2012.

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Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on Retail Sales in February 2011

Submitted on March 11, 2011 - 1:43pm

WASHINGTON – The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau today released retail sales data for February 2011. Retail sales jumped 1.0 percent, a strong monthly gain and the eighth consecutive monthly increase. This figure was slightly below private-sector expectations of a 1.2-percent gain. Sales at motor vehicle dealers increased 2.3 percent. Sales excluding automotive dealers increased 0.7 percent, consistent with private-sector expectations of a 0.7 percent gain.

application/pdf iconStatement from Secretary Locke on Retail Sales, February 2011