2004-2005 Keynote Speaker Series Continues March 9

The Texas A&M International University 2004-2005 Western Hemispheric Trade Keynote Speaker Series will continue Wednesday, March 9 and focus on "Western Hemispheric Economic Integration: Status of the Free Trade Area of The Americas (FTAA)."

The lecture will take place from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. in the Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 116. The event is free and open to the public.

Keynote Speaker will be William C. Gruben, vice president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and chief international economist. The series is sponsored by the TAMIU College of Business Administration's Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade (CSWHT).

Gruben, who is also director of the Dallas Fed's Center for Latin American Economics, focuses his research on international trade, international capital flows, currency regimes and banking and has published extensively on these topics in scholarly and technical journals. He has worked as a research associate at the University of Texas at Austin's Institute for Latin American Studies and its Center for Economic Development. In Dallas, he was part of the faculty of International Management Studies at the University of Texas and the faculty of economics at Southern Methodist University.

Virginia Vincent, associate director of the CSWHT, said attendees of the Series will have the opportunity to learn about recent issues that impact trade and development in the Americas and in turn impact Laredo from leading researchers and policy makers.

"The Series presents realistic and targeted lectures communicated by prominent leaders, renowned experts and exceptional scholars in the trade and international business field. It brings to the University individuals of brilliant accomplishment and expertise to enhance the academic experience of TAMIU students, faculty and the community. Through this Keynote Speaker Series, the University brings the caliber of speakers that you would normally see in larger venues, larger cities," added Vincent.

The final lecture will be held Thursday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 111, unless otherwise specified. Gordon H. Hanson, professor of economics at the University of California, San Diego, will discuss "Why Does Immigration Divide America? Public Finance and Political Opposition to Open Borders."

For more information about any of the lectures in the Series, please contact Vincent at 326.2827, visit offices at the Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 222D or e-mail vvincent@tamiu.edu.

University office hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.