Bush picks Kellogg chief Gutierrez for commerce post

President George W. Bush nominated Carlos Gutierrez, 51, chairman and chief executive of Kellogg Co., as commerce secretary on 29 November 2004.

Gutierrez, who was born in Cuba and emigrated to the United States as a child, began his career at Kellogg delivering cereal by truck in Mexico City. He rose to lead the company's Mexican operations within a decade and took over the entire corporation 15 years later.

He replaces Donald Evans, a close Bush ally who stepped down on 9 November after more than 30 years of personal friendship with the president.

Bush called on the Senate to confirm the nomination quickly and outlined an economic agenda that included tax-code simplification, limits on civil litigation against businesses, and expanded support for minority and women-owned small enterprises. He also reiterated his commitment to free trade.

Gutierrez said he supported the president's economic vision, describing it as real and achievable based on his own experience.

Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this AFP wire report, first published in November 2004, in its own words.