History and Enabling Legislation
The Department of Commerce is one of the oldest cabinet-level departments in the United States Government. Originally established by Congressional Act on February 14, 1903 as the Department of Commerce and Labor (32 Stat. 826; 5 U.S.C. 591), it was subsequently renamed the U. S. Department of Commerce by President William H. Taft on March 4, 1913 (15 U.S.C. Section 1512). The defined role of the new Department was “to foster, promote, and develop the foreign and domestic commerce, the mining, manufacturing, and fishery industries of the United States.”
Mission
The Department of Commerce creates the conditions for economic growth and opportunity by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, competitiveness, and stewardship.
Bureaus
- Economic Development Administration (EDA)
- Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA)
- Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
- Census Bureau
- International Trade Administration (ITA)
- Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
- Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)
- U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
- Technology Administration (TA)
- Under Secretary
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
- National Technical Information Service (NTIS)
- National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
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Strategic Goals
Goal 1: Provide the information and tools to maximize U.S. competitiveness and enable economic growth for American industries, workers, and consumers
Goal 2: Foster science and technological leadership by protecting intellectual property, enhancing technical standards, and advancing measurement science
Goal 3: Observe, protect, and manage the Earth’s resources to promote environmental stewardship
Management Integration Goal: Achieve organizational and management excellence
Location
The Department is headquartered in Washington, D.C., at the Herbert Clark Hoover Building, which is located on eight acres of land covering three city blocks. The Department also has field offices in all states and territories and maintains offices in more than 86 countries worldwide.
Employees
The Department is an agency with approximately 36,000 employees.
Financial Resources
The Department’s FY 2005 budget was approximately
$6.5 billion and its FY 2006 budget was about $6.8 billion.
Internet
The Department’s Internet address is
www.commerce.gov. |
