From the White House, “Remarks by the President Announcing the President’s Export Council“:

To meet this goal, we launched the National Export Initiative -– an ambitious effort to team up with America’s businesses, large and small, and help them unleash their energy and innovation, grow their markets, support new jobs selling their goods and services all across the globe. And we’re bringing to bear the full resources of the United States government.

One of the first things we did was establish an Export Promotion Cabinet made up of Cabinet members and senior administration officials whose work affects exports. Yesterday, I assembled this cabinet for an update on our efforts so far. We’re going to hold these meetings every few months -– and I’ve asked for a progress report at our next meeting in September.

But this is about more than what government can do; this is about what our businesses can do. And that’s why we are re-launching the President’s Export Council, a group that includes business and labor leaders who will offer their unfiltered advice and expertise on how best to promote exports. We’ve also included congressional leaders and senior representatives of my administration.

White House background and list of Export Council members.

Des Moines Register, “Obama names Andringa to export council“: “Mary Andringa, the president and CEO of Vermeer Corp., is one of 18 business executives and labor leaders named to President Obama’s export advisory council today.” Andringa is vice chairman of the National Association of Manufacturers.

Dow Corning news release, “President Obama Appoints Dow Corning CEO Dr. Stephanie A. Burns to President’s Export Council“: “I am proud that Dow Corning is viewed by government officials and the business community as an innovative leader in global business,” said Dr. Burns, whose term lasts until November 2011. “Collaborating with this diverse, experienced and respected group of individuals will be an honor, but more importantly, will help guide the United States for sustainable economic strength.”

From AP, “Obama’s export goals face hurdles here and abroad“:

Obama’s goal of doubling exports by 2015 “is challenging. It’s going to require a very broad set of initiatives,” said Pat Mears, director of international commercial affairs at the National Association of Manufacturers. The group strongly supports Obama’s export goals.

The president’s showcasing of his newly energized trade agenda appeared aimed, in part, at quieting increasing vocal criticism from the business community of his decisions on taxes, trade and financial regulation.

• Bloomberg, “Obama Names Ford CEO Mulally, Disney CEO Iger to Export Council“
• Wall Street Journal, “Obama Shifts to Export-Led Jobs Push“
• New York Times, “Obama Promises Push on Trade Pacts“

From The Nightly Business Report, PBS, “The Bailout Bill Leads To Another Late Night In The House“:

DHUE: Members of the National Association of Manufacturers met with President Bush at the White House this morning to drive home the message that the economic problems have already begun. Mary Andringa of construction and farm equipment-maker Vermeer says her customers are pulling back.

MARY ANDRINGA, CO-CEO, VERMEER MANUFACTURING: This whole crisis makes everyone extremely cautious. And for our customers, especially if they can’t get credit, it means they’re not buying. If they’re not buying, we’re not able to produce, which means we don’t have the jobs that are needed for our employees.

DHUE: Pine Hall Brick President Fletcher Steele says he laid off 19 people Monday because of slack demand. He wants lawmakers to pass the bill to boost confidence.

FLETCHER STEELE, PRESIDENT, PINE HALL BRICK COMPANY: People are scared, our employees are scared, they’re coming to us and saying, I want to get my 401(k) money, I want to put it under the mattress. They’re scared. We need something to stop the downward spiral that I think that we’re in, and the crisis of confidence. We really feel like by being able to provide more credit to the system — and this bill really does — really provides the underpinning to do that, we can stop this downward movement.

(Note: NAM’s Executive Vice President Jay Timmons is blogging from the National Democratic Convention in Denver this week.)

No doubt the Democratic convention will make history when the party officially nominates the first African-American presidential candidate.

But another historic moment will come this week when Hillary Clinton receives more delegate votes than any female candidate for President ever has.

It’s hard to believe that in this magnificent country, women only achieved the right to vote 88 years ago. It is unreal that my own grandmother – who worked the polls nearly every year – didn’t have that cherished right when she was born.

But how times have changed. I proudly watched my own mother shatter the glass ceiling as one of the first female CEOs in southern Ohio.

I have the privilege of working with outstanding female legislators in the House and Senate, as well as Governors, on both sides of the aisle. 

And women are moving into CEO suites in more and more manufacturing companies every day.

Mary Andringa, CEO of Vermeer Manufacturing and the Chair of the NAM’s small and medium manufacturers, is one example of the present and future leadership of manufacturing.

And now Hillary. There will be more. And the door will stay open in both parties.

Senator Clinton’s speech in the Pepsi Center in Denver hit all the right chords for the Democratic faithful. She brought the crowd to their feet and tears to their eyes on more than one occasion.

The Senator called on her supporters to get behind Barack Obama and work for his election. “Whether you voted for me or for Barack, the time is now to unite,” she extolled.

Recent polls indicate that over one in four Hillary backers aren’t yet sold on Barack Obama. If Sen. Clinton matches her supportive words for the Obama-Biden ticket with active deeds, perhaps her faithful will come home for the nominee in November.

In the meantime, Senator Clinton will continue to serve in the Senate for at least four more years. Now that her campaign for President has ended, manufacturing workers look forward to working with her to support pro-manufacturing policies and help her increase her NAM support index from its current bleak 16 percent.