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U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez Speaks at Moore School

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U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez told a roomful of International Master of Business Administration (IMBA) students Oct. 1 that the United States needs to "get this immigration debate right" and put into place "comprehensive immigration reform" if the country is to continue its economic growth and stay globally competitive.

The native U.S. work force is expected to grow by only 3/10 of one percent between now and 2030, Gutierrez said -- not enough to keep the country on a growth trajectory.  "If we don't have enough home-grown executives and scientists and workers, where are we going to get them?" he asked.  "Will we just say we're done growing?"

President Bush, Gutierrez, and other supporters of immigration reform were stymied in their attempts to pass immigration reform legislation earlier this year.  New measures are expected to be re-introduced into the U.S. Congress in 2009.

U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) was honorary host for the Moore School event, which was coordinated through the University of South Carolina's Office of Research and Health Sciences.

(l to r) U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Dean Hildy Teegen and U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez

Gutierrez, named Commerce Secretary in February 2005, praised the Moore School for its highly ranked IMBA program. (The School's IMBA program has been ranked #1 or #2 by U.S. News & World Report for the past 18 years.)  He also commended the school for "the work you are doing and for the quality of your students."

Some 29 percent of the world economy today is conducted by countries doing business with each other, and the Moore School's IMBA graduates are being well trained to enter this global arena, Gutierrez said.

Asked about the recent recalls of toys and other products from China, Gutierrez said a U.S. task force is currently looking at how America inspects imported products and how to better track items that are subjects of a recall.  "This is a watershed moment for China," he said. "China must ensure that the products leaving their country are absolutely safe if it wants to continue to grow its economy." 

Sen. Graham introduced Gutierrez as "an American success story."  In 1960 at the age of 7, Gutierrez moved with his family from Havana to the United States.  In 1975, he joined Kellogg Company, the Michigan-based cereal and convenience foods producer, as a sales representative.  He rose to president and CEO in 1999, becoming the youngest CEO in the company's nearly 100-year history.  In April 2000, Gutierrez was named chairman of the board of Kellogg Company.

Jan Collins
Oct. 1, 2007