WASHINGTON -- Senate Energy & Natural Resources Chairman Pete V. Domenici issued the following statement regarding the resignation announcement made by Interior Secretary Gale Norton.

“I commend Secretary Norton for a job well done and wish her and her husband the best in their future endeavors. Gale Norton has served the nation well as the first woman ever to serve as Interior Secretary.

“There is no denying that Secretary Norton proved to be a steady hand on a range of extremely difficult issues that are critical to all Americans.  She worked in close cooperation with both me and my committee colleagues and facilitated major policy advances through the Healthy Forests Initiative and the Cooperative Conservation Initiative.  Gale was able to use her extensive background in natural resources to advocate balanced, environmentally-friendly use of public lands for domestic energy needs.  I particularly appreciate her willingness to tackle complex water issues in my state of New Mexico and the rest of the arid Western United States.  

“We will now continue to use the strong foundation she laid for us.  There is a lot of work still to do.  I expect her replacement to be named soon and will I work hard to ensure the swift confirmation of her successor.”

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