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Gutierrez Greets U.S. Soldiers at DMZ; Meets with Korean Counterparts to Discuss FTA
South Korea (May 16)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez visited the Demilitarized Zone in between North and South Korea, taking time to meet with American armed forces stationed there. He visited the DMZ after giving keynote remarks to Korean business leaders in Seoul and conducting bilateral meetings with Korean leaders to discuss the pending free trade agreement between the United States and South Korea. (Keynote Remarks)
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Gutierrez Statement on Senate Vote Overturning FCC Rule on Broadcast Media Ownership
Seoul, South Korea (May 15)—While traveling in Korea, Commerce Secretary Gutierrez issued the following statement regarding the Senate’s vote on S.J. Resolution 28, legislation that will overturn the FCC rule on broadcast media ownership. “I am disappointed with the Senate’s action overturning the FCC rule allowing cross ownership of newspapers and broadcast stations in the nation’s top 20 media markets. The FCC’s approach modernizes a 30-year-old rule in a way that improves the financial viability of the newspaper industry, which faces an increasingly competitive media market.” (More)
Chinese Group Leisure Travel to the United States to Begin in June 2008
Beijing (May 15)—The China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that starting on June 17, 2008, Chinese leisure travelers may travel to the United States in group tours under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by both countries. CNTA Chairman Shao Qiwei will lead the inaugural Chinese tour group on June 17 to Washington, D.C. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez said, “This MOU opens China’s growing market to U.S. travel and tourism industries. Now, more Chinese visitors can experience America’s hospitality, cultural diversity, and natural beauty.” (More)
Under Secretary Mancuso Addresses Export and Technology Strategies to Enhance National Security
Washington (May 15)—Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Mario Mancuso delivered the keynote address at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Mancuso highlighted how changes in the economic and political landscape compel the United States to develop new strategies and utilize new instruments to enhance our national security. (Remarks)
NOAA Reports U.S. Has Cool April, Global Temperature Ranked 13th Warmest on Record
Washington (May 15)—This past month was the coolest April in 11 years for the lower 48 United States, and fell into the lowest twenty-five percent of all Aprils based on records going back to 1895, according to an analysis by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climatic Data Center. The average April temperature, 51 degrees F, during April was one degree below the 20th century mean, and was the 29th coolest, or 86th warmest, based on preliminary data. (More)
Secretary Gutierrez Visits UPS Olympic Warehouse in Beijing
Beijing (May 14)—U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez toured UPS’s Olympic Warehouse in Beijing to see first-hand how the official sponsor of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be delivering the event to the world. In remarks to reporters after the tour, Gutierrez expressed his condolences on behalf of the United States to the people of China and all of the victims and family of the victims who have suffered from the earthquake in Sichuan province. Gutierrez is shown here during a December 2007 visit to China. (More)
NIST Finding Can Help Improve Radio Communication in Tunnels
Gaithersburg, Md. (May 14)—As part of a project to improve wireless communications for emergency responders, researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have confirmed that underground tunnels—generally a difficult setting for radios—can have a frequency “sweet spot” at which signals may travel several times farther than at other frequencies. The finding, which uses extensive new data to confirm models developed in the 1970s, may point to strategies for enhancing rescue communications in subways and mines. (More)
Deputy Assistant Secretary Priest Addresses Textile Trade Policy
Washington (May 13)—International Trade Administration (ITA) Deputy Assistant Secretary Matt Priest addressed textile trade policy and implementation at the Annual Meeting of the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO). ITA’s Import Administration is the agency’s lead unit on enforcing trade laws and agreements to prevent unfairly traded imports and to safeguard jobs and the competitive strength of American industry. (More)
NOAA Issues Tornado Facts and Safety Tips
Washington (May 13)—The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued answers to common questions about tornadoes, including the difference between watches and warnings, and how to stay safe during a tornado. A tornado is a narrow, violently rotating column of air that extends from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground. The current average lead-time for tornado warnings is 13 minutes. NOAA Research is working to increase tornado warning lead-times much further. (More)
Assistant Secretary Bohigian Addresses U.S. Open Investment Policies
Washington (May 12)—As part of Invest in America week, International Trade Administration Assistant Secretary David Bohigian discussed U.S. open investment policies with journalists at the Foreign Press Center. Through Invest in America, the Department of Commerce promotes the United States as the best place in the world to do business and reinforces the unequivocal and long-standing commitment by the United States to open investment policies. (More)