Department of Commerce Home Page

Oct. 8 -- WASHINGTON, DC --Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans today released the following statement on September’s employment report:

“For the 13th straight month, we've had job gains despite being in a wartime economy. Hurricanes and high energy prices haven't dampened our resilient recovery because America created over 1.9 million jobs since last August.”

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans Hails Passage of the Economic Development Reauthorization Act of 2003

Oct. 7-- WASHINGTON, DC --U.S. Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans today announced that Congress approved legislation reauthorizing the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for another five years. EDA’s prior reauthorization was passed by Congress in 1998, and expired on September 30, 2003.

“This bi-partisan bill is a high priority of this administration, and one which the President considers critical to continuing the upturn in the economy that the nation has experienced during the past year,” said Evans.

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EVANS: “STRATEGY TARGETING ORGANIZED PIRACY CRACKS DOWN ON PIRATES WHO STEAL FROM AMERICAN WORKERS

Oct. 4-- WASHINGTON, DC --Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans today joined Ambassador Robert Zoellick, Attorney General John Ashcroft, Homeland Security Under Secretary Asa Hutchinson to focus on the Administration’s “Strategy Targeting Organized Piracy(STOP)” initiative. The initiative protects American businesses and their products from counterfeiters and pirates who are stealing from America’s workers and robbing billions from the U.S. economy.

“For the past three years, the Bush Administration has aggressively worked to enforce intellectual property rights. Today’s STOP initiative allows us to leverage those efforts and new innovative solutions to better protect America’s intellectual property.” said Evans. “One of President Bush’s top economic priorities has been to put counterfeiters and pirates who tilt the playing field against American companies out of business. The STOP initiative gives American businesses clear steps to protect themselves from international counterfeiters and encourages businesses to adopt programs to insure that their supply chains are free from fakes.”

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COMMERCE SECRETARY DONALD L. EVANS STATEMENT ON RISE IN U.S. PERSONAL INCOMES

Sept. 30-- WASHINGTON, DC --Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans hailed today’s personal income report: “Bigger paychecks mean American workers have more money and more confidence to spend, save and invest in the future. The rise in U.S. personal income is another sign President Bush’s pro-growth policies are working and fueling strong long-term economic trends.”

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EVANS: PRESIDENT BUSH’S JOBS AGENDA BOOSTS ECONOMY IN 2ND QUARTER, PROVIDES A "WIN-WIN" FOR
AMERICAN FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES

Sept. 29 -- WASHINGTON, DC --Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans applauded today’s economic data that showed more American businesses exporting and building their inventories in order to respond to strong consumer demand.

“President Bush’s economic agenda is a clear win-win for American families and businesses defeating our critics’ no-win pessimism that would stifle growth with higher taxes, burdensome regulations and economic isolationism. The administration’s economic agenda has given businesses the confidence to hire new workers, expand their operations and sell their products to new markets. The President’s policies have successfully led us out of the recession we inherited and has given families and workers the hope to succeed.”

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EVANS HAILS NEW HOME SALES LARGEST JUMP IN FOUR YEARS

Sept. 27-- WASHINGTON, DC --Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans today praised the skyrocketing demand for new home sales and credited the President’s economic policies saying Americans now have the confidence and money in their pockets to make more long-term decisions.

“More Americans have keys to their new homes thanks to the President’s economic leadership. They have more money in their pockets and have more confidence to make long-term decisions like buying a home.”

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STATEMENT BY COMMERCE SECRETARY DONALD L. EVANS ON ARDEN BEMENT AS NEXT NSF DIRECT

Sept. 15-- WASHINGTON, DC --“The President has made a great choice in tapping Arden Bement to become the next director of the National Science Foundation (NSF). For the past three years, Dr. Bement has served with great distinction as the Director of NIST, displaying an expansive breadth of knowledge of the national science and technology enterprise. And that same breadth of knowledge -- coupled with his vast experience in academia, government and private industry -- makes him an ideal candidate to direct the NSF. I am grateful that he has agreed to continue leading NIST until his Senate confirmation and look forward to continuing to work with him in his next leadership role.”

EVANS STATMENT ON RISING EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS:
Unemployment rate falls to lowest level since September 2001-- 5.4%

Sept. 3 -- WASHINGTON, DC --Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans commented on August’s employment report, which showed a reduction in the unemployment rate to the lowest level since September of 2001:

“Our resilient recovery lowered the unemployment rate to its lowest level since September 2001 because the President trusted average Americans with the keys to recovery, their hard-earned dollars. The August numbers show there’s an elephant in the room: the tax cuts have produced 144,000 new jobs and the resilient recovery continues.”

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STATEMENT FROM COMMERCE SECRETARY
DONALD L. EVANS ON TODAY’S DURABLE GOODS ORDERS DATA

August 25-- WASHINGTON, DC --“The improving health of our manufacturing sector shows that President Bush's economic policies were just what the doctor ordered,” Evans said. “Manufacturers have added more than 80,000 jobs since January and as today's numbers illustrate, factory activity continues to heat up. President Bush is committed to growing our economy until every American who wants a job has one.”

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STATEMENT FROM COMMERCE SECRETARY DONALD L. EVANS
ON TODAY’S INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION AND HOUSING REPORT

August 17-- WASHINGTON, DC --“America’s manufacturers have shown again that we have the most productive workers in the world. The Bush administration continues to work aggressively to give manufacturing workers the tools to succeed in the worldwide marketplace, open new markets for American products and grow the economy at home.

“There are other signs that our economy is moving in the right direction as homebuilders build new homes at the fastest rate in twenty years. The combination of low interest rates and strong consumer confidence have given more families a chance to own a piece of the American Dream.

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STATEMENT FROM COMMERCE SECRETARY DONALD L. EVANS
ON TODAY’S RETAIL
SALES REPORT
Report Highlights Rising Retail Sales in July

August 12-- WASHINGTON, DC -- “Americans are spending more because they are confident in the U.S. economy. Thanks to the President’s economic leadership, consumers have more money in their pockets to purchase big-ticket items like new cars and the confidence to make long-term decisions like buying a home. There is more work to do and the Bush Administration is committed to creating the conditions that will continue to expand and strengthen the economy.”

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EVANS STATMENT ON TODAY'S EMPLOYMENT NUMBERS: "THE AMERICAN ECONOMY IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE"

August 6 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans commented on July's employment report: “There are positive signs that job growth is moving in the right direction, but the Bush Administration is not satisfied with today's results and is focused on the work that needs to be done. The unemployment rate has fallen to 5.5 percent and continues to be lower than the average of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. In addition, the July Household employment survey saw jobs soar with 629,000 more people finding work. At the same time, there is positive employment momentum within the manufacturing sector. In the past 11 months, more than 1.5 million Americans have found new and better jobs.

“However, we believe that we must continue to push ahead on a job growth agenda that meets the needs of the American people. To grow more jobs, we need to control health care costs for Americans and stop endless regulations that strangle our nation's employers. We must end lawsuit abuse in America and implement a reasonable energy policy that makes us less dependent on foreign sources of energy.”

COMMERCE SECRETARY DONALD L. EVANS STATEMENT ON TODAY’S SIGNING OF U.S.-AUSTRALIA TRADE PACT

August 3-- WASHINGTON, DC -- Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans praised today’s signing of the U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement stating that it will benefit American workers, consumers and manufacturers.

“The U.S.-Australia Free Trade agreement will boost the bottom lines of American manufacturers. Today's signing means more American jobs because we’ve leveled the playing field in a critical market for U.S. manufacturers. The new free trade agreement is a powerful tool that will help raise the standard of living across America, provide higher paying jobs and help American businesses succeed in the worldwide marketplace.”

EVANS HAILS STRONG REPORT ON MANUFACTURING
Longest Sustained Strong Growth In Nearly 30 Years

August 2 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans today praised new information from the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) Manufacturing Index showing strong manufacturing employment and nine straight months of growth - the longest sustained growth at such levels since 1973.

“American manufacturers are growing stronger today thanks to the President’s economic leadership. Manufacturers are expanding their businesses, opening new markets for American products and creating new jobs. Today’s report is yet another positive economic indicator that shows that our economy is on the right track. However, there is more work to be done. The President is focused on lowering health care costs, reducing energy prices and eliminating junk lawsuits so that manufacturers will find it easier to succeed in the worldwide marketplace.”

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EVANS CREDITS BUSH ECONOMIC LEADERSHIP FOR TWO-YEAR HIGH IN CONSUMER CONFIDENCE AND CONTINUED STRONG HOME SALES

July 27 -- WASHINGTON, DC -- Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans today credited President Bush’s economic leadership for the Conference Board’s highest reading in consumer confidence since June 2002. Evans also attributed continued strong home sales to the President’s policies saying consumers have the confidence and money in their pockets to make more long-term decisions.

“Housing sales are shooting through the roof and consumers are the most confident they’ve been in two years thanks to President Bush’s leadership,” Evans said. “The President’s policies are growing the economy, putting more money in the pockets of Americans, and giving them the confidence to make long term decisions like buying a home.”

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U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY LAUNCHES NEW CENTER FOR FAITH-BASED AND COMMUNITY INITIATIVES

July 16-- WASHINGTON, DC -- Commerce Secretary Donald
L. Evans today announced the appointment of David Bohigian as the Executive Director of the Department of Commerce Office of Faith- Based and Community Initiatives.

"We must ensure that the faith that animates the lives of so many Americans is not inordinately restrained from advancing the public good through faith-based and community programs,” said Evans.

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COMMERCE SECRETARY
DONALD L. EVANS CREDITS AMERICA’S OPTIMISM FOR GROWING U.S. ECONOMY
Evans Says Always Bet on America

July 15-- WASHINGTON, DC –U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans today delivered remarks to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Policy Insider’s Breakfast where he discussed why Americans should feel optimistic and confident about the growing U.S. economy.

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COMMERCE SECRETARY
DONALD L. EVANS TO DELIVER MAJOR SPEECH HIGHLIGHTING OPTIMISM AND CONFIDENCE IN THE ECONOMY

July 14-- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans will deliver remarks to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Policy Insider’s Breakfast on Thursday, July 15, 2004. Evans will discuss why Americans should feel optimistic and confident about the growing U.S. economy.

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STATEMENT BY COMMERCE SECRETARY DONALD L. EVANS ON APPOINTMENT OF NEW CHIEF PRIVACY OFFICER

July 13-- WASHINGTON, DC – “I am delighted to announce that Dan Caprio will serve as the Commerce Department’s new Chief Privacy Officer. In addition to his role as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy, Mr. Caprio will oversee all Departmental activities related to the development and implementation of federal privacy laws, policies and practices. Mr. Caprio’s experience in information security, privacy, and global electronic commerce make him the ideal candidate to carry forward the Administration’s commitment to economic prosperity through protecting the privacy of and free flow of information. I am pleased Commerce will continue to play a leadership role for the federal government in this area with Mr. Caprio leading our efforts.”

EVANS PRAISES LOWEST JOBLESS CLAIMS IN OVER THREE YEARS; EMPLOYMENT INDEXES HITTING RECORD LEVELS

July 8-- WASHINGTON, DC – Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans today praised the substantial drop in jobless claims that beat market expectations and emphasized the record employment levels by the ISM non-manufacturing employment index and the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) industry survey.

“Americans should be optimistic because our surging economy is increasingly replacing unemployment checks with paychecks. Under President Bush’s leadership, the wallets of hardworking Americans are thicker because take home pay is up 11 percent,” Evans said. “More people are working today in America than ever before. Since last August, our economy created 1.5 million jobs.”

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EVANS PRAISES RISING EMPLOYMENT TREND

July 2-- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans praised the continuing positive employment trend contained in today’s employment results: “With more than a million new jobs in the last four months, these numbers show that the trend is our friend. The President’s economic plan is working. More Americans are working today than ever before.

“Over the last four months, one million twenty four thousand jobs have been created, including gains in manufacturing and construction. American families are benefiting from rising disposable income and falling unemployment for workers across our economy.”

SECRETARY EVANS HELPS TO STRENGHTEN ECONOMIC TIES
WITH CHINA, IRELAND, MEXICO DURING ELEVEN-DAY JOBS TOUR
Evans Aggressive in Work to Level Playing Field for American Workers at All Stops

June 29 -- Guadalajara, Mexico - Commmerce Secretary Donald L. Evans today met with Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez and Mexican Secretary of Economy Fernando Canales, during the first day of the second Partnership for Prosperity Workshop. In the bilateral meetings, Evans emphasized the Bush administration’s commitment to ensure compliance with NAFTA and to identify and resolve obstacles encountered by U.S. businesses trying to access Mexican markets.

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BUSH, FOX ADMINISTRATIONS WORK TO ENCOURAGE COOPERATION AND TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY
Partnership For Prosperity Entrepreneurial Workshop Highlights Commitment To Create Jobs For Workers And Demand For Products On Both Sides Of The Border

June 28 -- Guadalajara, Mexico - Commmerce Secretary Donald L. Evans today met with Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Luis Ernesto Derbez and Mexican Secretary of Economy Fernando Canales, during the first day of the second Partnership for Prosperity Workshop. In the bilateral meetings, Evans emphasized the Bush administration’s commitment to ensure compliance with NAFTA and to identify and resolve obstacles encountered by U.S. businesses trying to access Mexican markets.

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U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY IN IRELAND TO PROMOTE EUROPEAN TRADE TO HELP GROW AMERICAN JOBS

June 24 -- IRELAND –U.S. Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans is in Ireland to participate in the U.S.-E.U. Summit and will meet with the Transatlantic Business Dialogue (TABD) to discuss ways to increase investment and create a barrier-free transatlantic market to help grow American jobs.

“While developing economies show great promise for American business, our most dynamic economic relationship remains with Europe,” Evans said. “We have to nurture this relationship and continue to adopt policies of free and fair trade that will result in growing American jobs.”

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SENIOR MEMBER OF BUSH ECONOMIC TEAM TO
TALK JOBS AND TRADE IN GUADALAJARA, MEXICO

June 24- Guadalajara, Mexico – U.S. Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans will attend the Partnership for Prosperity 2004 Entrepreneurial Workshop in Guadalajara, Mexico on Monday June 28 – Tuesday June 29, 2004. Evans will meet with Mexican government officials and business leaders to discuss ways to strengthen free trade between the two countries. Evans will also address ways to grow the social and economic relationship between the U.S. and Mexico and respond to obstacles in the trading partnership.

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U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY: FOUR-DAY CHINA TRIP A SUCCESS
Evans Says U.S.-China Economic Relationship Strengthened, But Work Remains

June 24- BEIJING, CHINA Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans today wrapped up his four-day trip to China by discussing the progress that had been made in leveling the playing field for American workers and in strengthening the economic relationship between the two countries, but said that work remains:

"Thank you for coming. I want to thank Secretary Chao and the hardworking members of the President’s Export Council and our Chinese hosts for making this a worthwhile visit. They were all instrumental in providing frank and constructive discussions."

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U.S. SECRETARY OF COMMERCE DON EVANS WITNESSES THE SIGNING OF BUSINESS AGREEMENTS THAT WILL GROW AMERICAN JOBS
Contracts promise to strengthen the Sino-U.S. Economic Relationship

June 22- BEIJING, CHINA –Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans today presided over the signings of three U.S.-China business agreements in Beijing.

“These partnerships will grow American jobs and contribute to America’s economic development,” Evans said. “These signings are an example of the strong commercial bonds being forged between the United States and China.”

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U.S. COMMERCE SECRETARY DONALD L. EVANS VISITS HARBIN, CHINA
Evans Tells Chinese University Students Free and Fair Trade Creates Jobs

June 21- HARBIN, CHINA –U.S. Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans kicked off a four-day swing through China with a visit to the Harbin Institute of Technology where he told students that free and fair trade will spur China’s economic development, raise living standards, and create jobs in China as well as in other countries. Evans’ visit to Harbin also included a tour of Harbin Electric Machinery as well as a visit with orphans at the Harbin Children’s Home.

“I am in China to promote commercial partnerships and policies that can strengthen businesses here and at home, and lead to a higher quality of life for all,” Evans said in a speech to the Harbin Institute of Technology. “This will lead to strengthening our economies and growing jobs for American workers.”

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SECRETARY EVANS EMBARKS ON TRIP TO CHINA, IRELAND AND MEXICO
FURTHERS COMMITMENT TO GROWING AMERICAN JOBS THROUGH FREE AND FAIR TRADE

June 17 - Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans on June 21, 2004 begins an eleven-day visit to China, Ireland and Mexico and will meet with government and business leaders to discuss free and fair trade between the United States and the three countries in order to grow American jobs.

In China, he will stress the importance of China’s compliance with WTO obligations and call for senior Chinese government officials to eliminate trade barriers hindering U.S.-China trade relations. He will also be joined by Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao to participate in several events during his visit.

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EVANS PRAISES FALLING JOBLESS CLAIMS; BUSH ADMINISTRATION ECONOMIC POLICIES ARE WORKING

June 17 - U.S. Commerce Secretary Donald L. Evans hailed today’s report that last week’s falling jobless claims have lowered the four-week moving average below expectations:

“American companies are betting on American workers. Consumer demand, rising sales and increased profits are creating confidence in the growing economy,” Evans said. “President Bush’s policies are succeeding in creating jobs and expanding the economy.”

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EVANS CHEERS RECORD SINGLE FAMILY HOME BUILDING PERMITS; MANUFACTURING PRODUCTION HIGHEST IN NEARLY SIX YEARS

June 16 - U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans today hailed the Commerce Department’s report of record high single-family home building permits and higher manufacturing production as yet more signs of the American economy on the up-swing.

“America’s homebuilders are shattering records because they know that more jobs and higher income means families feel financially secure to invest in a home,” Evans said. “At the same time, our nation’s manufacturing industry is gaining steam as production and employment continues to rise. President Bush is leading our nation in the right direction to grow this the economy and create more jobs.”

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