Humphrey Award Honoree Gary Locke Nominated to be Commerce Secretary

Yesterday, President Obama nominated former Washington Governor Gary Locke to be Secretary of Commerce.

Locke was governor of Washington from 1997 to 2005 and was the first Chinese-American governor in U.S. history.  In 1999, LCCR honored Locke with its Hubert H. Humphrey Civil Rights Award for working to make Washington public schools the best in the nation, promoting jobs and economic development in rural and urban areas, and fighting juvenile crime.

The Department of Commerce is in charge of promoting the country’s economic growth. The department’s responsibilities include promoting international trade, issuing patents and trademarks, overseeing the census, and regulating television, cable, and radio.

Locke must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming the post.