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Blog Category: President Obama

Secretary Locke Explains Impact of New Health Care Legislation on Business

Submitted on April 1, 2010 - 9:00am
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Portrait of Locke.

The Wall Street Journal today published an opinion piece by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke on how reform of the American health care system will benefit businesses, helping them grow and become more competitive. “President Obama began his campaign to reform the American health-care system focused on three goals: protecting Americans' choice of doctors and health plans, assuring quality and affordable health care for all Americans, and reducing costs for families and businesses,” Locke wrote. (Opinion Editorial)

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Francisco J. Sánchez Sworn In as Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade

Submitted on March 29, 2010 - 12:17pm
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Hightower, Sanchez and scheduling assistant Jenna Pilat. Click for larger image.

Francisco J. Sánchez was sworn in today as Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade after receiving a recess appointment from President Obama. U.S. Commerce Deputy Secretary Dennis Hightower administered the oath of office to Sánchez who will direct the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA). I’m pleased to have Francisco leading the International Trade Administration,” said Hightower. “As head of the International Trade Administration, Francisco will be on the front line as the Commerce Department spearheads the implementation of the President’s National Export Initiative.” (More) (Bio)

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Francisco Sánchez and Eric Hirschhorn Named to Posts as Under Secretaries of Commerce

Submitted on March 29, 2010 - 11:00am
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Commerce building exterior with U.S. flag.

Francisco J. Sánchez will direct the Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration as Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, and Eric L. Hirschhorn will lead the Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security as Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration after receiving recess appointments from President Obama Saturday. Sánchez and Hirschhorn could serve in their jobs through the end of 2011, when the next Senate finishes its term, or until they are nominated and confirmed to their posts. (Sanchez release) (Hirschhorn release)

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Secretary Locke, Senator Brown Highlight Effort to Boost Exports and U.S. Jobs in Ohio

Submitted on March 22, 2010 - 12:16pm
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Secretary Locke at microphone. Click for larger image.

U. S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke traveled to Dublin, Ohio to talk to Americans about the administration’s plan to increase the sales of exports and support the creation of high-paying jobs through President Obama’s recently announced National Export Initiative (NEI). Locke was joined by Senator Sherrod Brown. Officials from the State and Agriculture Departments, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank, and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, also met with business leaders across the country to discuss the steps the Administration is taking to help businesses sell more U.S.-made goods and services abroad. (Remarks) (Release) (Export Promotion Cabinet release)

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Secretary Locke Convenes Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee Meeting

Submitted on March 16, 2010 - 4:05pm
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Locke at lectern with other participants in background.

In response to President Obama's recently-unveiled goal of doubling American exports over the next five years with the National Export Initiative (NEI), U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke hosted the second meeting of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC) at the department. The TPCC, established in 1992, is an interagency group chaired by the Secretary of Commerce to establish trade promotion priorities that boost exports and create jobs. Later, he hosted a press conference with TPCC members, including Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Kirk, Small Business Administration Administrator Mills and others.

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Secretary Locke Discusses Travel and Tourism Industry at American Hotel and Lodging Association Summit

Submitted on March 15, 2010 - 7:14pm
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Locke on podium.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke addressed the American Hotel and Lodging Association Legislative Action Summit to discuss the importance of the travel and tourism industry to the U.S. economy. Locke spoke about President Obama’s National Export Initiative and the role travel and tourism plays in growing American jobs. He also discussed plans for implementation of the recently-signed Travel Promotion Act, which establishes a new public-private partnership between the U.S. government and the nation’s travel and tourism industry. (Remarks)

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President Obama Signs the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 into Law

Submitted on March 4, 2010 - 4:07pm
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Secretary Locke at far left watches as President Obama signs Act. Click for larger image.

White House photo

President Obama signed the Travel Promotion Act of 2009 (TPA) into law, putting into place a new public-private partnership between the U.S. government and the nation’s travel and tourism industry. The U.S. Department of Commerce stands ready to work with the private sector to promote international travel to the United States. “When international visitors come to the United States they spend money on a wide range of goods and services that support U.S. jobs,” said Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke. “Creating a global tourism promotion program to encourage international visitors to vacation in America will help spur economic growth and create more jobs,” Locke said. (More)

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Commerce Deputy Secretary Hightower Promotes National Export Initiative at UCLA Business Forum

Submitted on March 3, 2010 - 6:36pm
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Hightower on podium. Click for larger image.

File photo

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Dennis F. Hightower discussed President Obama's National Export Initiative at UCLA's America's Business Forum, highlighting the Commerce Department's efforts to support job creation by helping U.S. companies to sell more of their products and services abroad. “All of us have to do more to ensure more American products are reaching new foreign markets.. . . . “At a time when traditional drivers of U.S. economic growth like consumer and business spending are strained, we simply must elevate exports as a key part of our economic recovery efforts,” Hightower said. (Remarks)

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Secretary Locke Promotes National Export Initiative During Tour of Local Manufacturing Facility

Submitted on February 25, 2010 - 5:05pm
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Locke talking to facility works while touring. Click for larger image.

Following on the heels of President Obama’s State of the Union pledge to double U.S. exports in the next five years, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke visited Ellicott Dredges in Baltimore, Md., to discuss export strategy and toured the company’s manufacturing facility. During his visit, Locke, joined by Congressman John Sarbanes, met with local businesses and discussed the National Export Initiative (NEI) and highlighted the role the Commerce Department continues to play in supporting U.S. businesses like Ellicott Dredges. (More) (Remarks)

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Secretary Locke Announces Expanded Commerce-UPS Partnership to Boost U.S. Exports, Support Job Creation

Submitted on February 19, 2010 - 1:15pm
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Secretary Locke with UPS vehicles. Click for larger image.

On the heels of President Obama’s State of the Union pledge to double U.S. exports in the next five years, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and UPS CEO and Chairman Scott Davis announced new steps in an expanded partnership between UPS and the Department of Commerce that is designed to increase U.S. exports among small- and medium-sized businesses. Locke and Davis also met with local business leaders to discuss the President’s National Export Initiative (NEI) and how it will help American companies become more competitive while supporting job creation here at home. (More) (Remarks)

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