Department of Commerce

Gary F. Locke

Official Title: Secretary of Commerce

Roles: To develop foreign and domestic commerce

This is the mission of the Department of Commerce; to foster, promote, and develp foreign and domestic commerce on the United State's behalf. He is the chief federal governmental official who oversees policy that relates to business/industry in the United States.

Serve in the President's Cabinet

To help give advice to the President

Help Formulate Foreign Trade Policy

Has the task of assisting the creation of foreign trade policy in the United States. It helps develop laws pertaining to the importation and exportation of goods. He is involved in the development of economic and tax policy as well as other issues.

Quote:

“I'm proposing increases that amount to a nickel on a can of pop or beer - and you all know that I love soda pop. I drink Pepsis all the time and I'm willing to pay 5 cents more. We're proposing a quarter on a good bottle of wine and less than $1.50 on a fifth of hard liquor, the good stuff.”

The meaning is that Gary Locke is advocating a tax on liquor. He's saying that he's willing to pay more on other beverages, so he would also be willing to pay a tax on the "good stuff", such as wine and a fifth of hard liquor. Video: http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/02/05/us/politics/1247466895892/an-interview-with-gary-locke.html Gary Locke decided that American companies needed to be supported more and that exports should be increased and that matchmaking should be more efficient between American companies and other countries.