http://www.doi.gov/secretary/kempthorne_speeches.html U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary's Speeches and Remarks en-us webteam@ios.doi.gov (DOI Office of Communications (Web Content Manager) 09/18/2008 10:41 PM http://www.doi.gov/images/doi_seal.jpg http://www.doi.gov/ Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, let me begin by saying that I deeply regret the reason for this hearing. I find the conduct of the small group of long-term career employees described in the reports issued by the Inspector General’s Office inexcusable. I am outraged that the public’s trust, an important and necessary part of public service, has been abused. I am outraged that the ethics laws and regulations applicable to Department of the Interior personnel have been violated. I am dismayed that these activities could negatively reflect on the vast numbers of outstanding public servants that work in both the MMS and the Department. I know that Assistant Secretary Steve Allred and MMS Director Randall Luthi, both of whom are here with me today, share these feelings. http://www.doi.gov/news/08_News_Releases/Statement of Secretary Kempthorne for September 18 HNR Hearing 9_18_08.pdf Secretary Kempthorne: Good afternoon everybody, I appreciate you joining me. Some of you might recall that in May of this year when we announced our decision to list the Polar Bear as threatened under the Endangered Species Act I said that I would take action to make sure that we implement the act more efficiently and avoid misusing it to regulate global climate change. http://www.doi.gov/secretary/speeches/080813_speech.html Director Bomar, thank you. All of you know Mary has grace, intelligence, and a fine British accent. Mary became the National Park Service director at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. http://www.doi.gov/secretary/speeches/081607_speech.html Governor Schwarzenegger, thank you very much. Let me compliment California, because you have a governor, a chief executive, who is very engaged. And when I speak to Governor Schwarzenegger during these fire seasons and we discuss the assets, the deployment of those assets, it's very encouraging to see the role that is properly being carried out by your Governor. http://www.doi.gov/secretary/speeches/082706_speech.html Governor Schwarzenegger, thank you very much. Let me compliment California, because you have a governor, a chief executive, who is very engaged. And when I speak to Governor Schwarzenegger during these fire seasons and we discuss the assets, the deployment of those assets, it's very encouraging to see the role that is properly being carried out by your Governor. http://www.doi.gov/secretary/speeches/082305_speech.html Today I am listing the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. I believe this decision is most consistent with the record and legal standards of the Endangered Species Act - perhaps the least flexible law Congress has ever enacted. http://www.doi.gov/secretary/speeches/081405_speech.html Thank you Mary (Bomar), Bob (Johnson) and Mark (Myers). I also want to recognize the work being done by our other bureaus: The Fish and Wildlife Service is represented by Southwest Regional Director Ben Tuggle and his staff. The Bureau of Indian Affairs is represented by Regional Environmental Protection Officer Amy Heuslin. http://www.doi.gov/secretary/speeches/080305_speech.html Thank you, Deputy Secretary Conner [Chuck Conner]. This is my second tour of duty in Washington, DC. Before I became Governor of Idaho, I served as a member of the United States Senate, where I was a member of the Armed Services Committee. http://www.doi.gov/secretary/speeches/080304_speech.html Thank you, Governor (Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California). The fundamental responsibility of any government is to protect its citizens. Here at Folsom Dam, all levels of American government - federal, state, and local - have joined in an historic partnership to meet this responsibility. http://www.doi.gov/secretary/speeches/081108_speech.html Mary, thank you very much. With this being the eighth visitor’s center that you have shepherded into existence you are the right superintendent at the right time to lead Grand Teton National Park and I commend you for your leadership. http://www.doi.gov/secretary/speeches/070811.html Today, I am proud to announce: the eagle has returned. In 1963, the lower 48 states were home to barely 400 nesting pairs of bald eagles. Today, after decades of conservation effort, they are home to some 10,000 nesting pairs, a 25-fold increase in the last 40 years. http://www.doi.gov/secretary/speeches/070628_speech.html As I approach my first anniversary as Secretary of the Interior, I want to thank all of you for making my first year so enjoyable and so personally rewarding. I have had the opportunity to travel thousands of miles across the country and meet many of our employees. http://www.doi.gov/secretary/speeches/070522_speech.html