[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 49 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Pages 2870-2871]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks on the Nomination of Carlos M. Gutierrez To Be Secretary of 
Commerce

November 29, 2004

    The President. Thank you all. I am proud to announce my nomination 
of Carlos Gutierrez to be America's next Secretary of Commerce. Carlos 
Gutierrez is one of America's most respected business leaders. He is a 
great American success story.
    As CEO of the Kellogg Company, he has been an effective, visionary 
executive. He understands the world of business from the first rung on 
the ladder to the very top. He knows exactly what it takes to help 
American businesses grow and create jobs. I look forward to having his 
creativity and expertise in my Cabinet.
    Carlos' family came to America from Cuba when he was a boy. He 
learned English from a bellhop in a Miami hotel and later became an 
American citizen. When his family eventually settled in Mexico City, 
Carlos took his first job for Kellogg as a truck driver, delivering 
Frosted Flakes to local stores. Ten years after he started, he was 
running the Mexican business, and 15 years after that, he was running 
the entire company. At every stage of this remarkable story, Carlos 
motivated others with his energy and optimism and impressed others with 
his decency.
    In his career, Carlos has been sustained by the values taught by his 
parents, Pedro and Olga, and by the love of his wife, Edi, and his 
children, Carlos, Erika, and Karina. I know Olga Gutierrez, who lives in 
Florida, is proud to see the boy she took from Cuba chosen to help 
strengthen the world's greatest and finest economy.
    Carlos will carry on the work of a distinguished leader, Secretary 
Don Evans. During the past 4 years, our economy has overcome a 
recession, terrorist attack, corporate scandals, and the uncertainty 
that comes with war. In all these challenges, Don has been a strong and 
steady advocate for America's businesses and workers and entrepreneurs. 
Don has also been my friend for over three decades. I've counted on his 
wisdom and optimism and character at every step on my journey to the 
White House. Now Don's own journey leads him back to Texas, where we 
were young men together. Don is one of the finest people I have ever 
known. I will miss having him in Washington, and Laura and I wish him 
and Susie well.
    When he's confirmed by the Senate, Carlos Gutierrez will take office 
at a time of historic opportunity for our changing economy. With Carlos' 
leadership, we'll help more Americans, especially minorities and women, 
to start and grow their own small business. We'll reduce the burden of 
junk lawsuits and regulations on our entrepreneurs. We'll reform our 
outdated Tax Code to eliminate needless paperwork and encourage savings, 
investment, and growth. We'll continue our commitment to free and fair 
trade. Carlos and I know that America's workers can compete with anybody 
in the world. And in all these policies, we will ensure that the 
American economy keeps creating jobs and remains dynamic and flexible 
far into the future.
    In Carlos Gutierrez, the Department of Commerce will have an 
experienced manager and an innovative leader. He will be a strong, 
principled voice for American business and an inspiration to millions of 
men and women who dream of a better life in our country. I ask the 
Senate to confirm this fine nominee as quickly as possible. I look 
forward to welcoming him into my Cabinet.
    Congratulations.

[[Page 2871]]

[At this point, Secretary-Designate Gutierrez made brief remarks.]

    The President. Great job. Thank you. Congratulations.

Note: The President spoke at 11:10 a.m. in the Roosevelt Room at the 
White House. In his remarks, he referred to Susan Evans, wife of 
Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans. The transcript released by the 
Office of the Press Secretary also included the remarks of Secretary-
Designate Gutierrez. The Office of the Press Secretary also released a 
Spanish language transcript of these remarks.