Press Release

Secretary Gutierrez Statement on the Senate Confirmation of Key Commerce Department Officials

ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA—Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today applauded the U.S. Senate for confirming Lily Fu Claffee as General Counsel of the Department of Commerce and William J. Brennan as Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere within the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

“I thank the U.S. Senate for confirming Lily Fu Claffee as General Counsel of the Department of Commerce and William J. Brennan as Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere.

“As General Counsel, Lily will play a critical role as the chief legal officer for the Department. She brings valuable experience from her time at the Department of the Treasury and the Department of Justice. We are glad to have her join our team in such a critical role.

“Bill will assume a key position within NOAA responsible for day-to-day management as Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Deputy Administrator. Bill brings a wealth of knowledge in the areas of marine and environmental policy, and will contribute to the already great work being performed by NOAA’s employees and its scientists.

I want to thank Chairman Inouye and Vice Chairman Stevens for their leadership and support for these nominations.”

Background
As General Counsel of the Department of Commerce, Mrs. Claffee will be the chief legal officer for the Department and legal advisor to the Secretary, Secretarial Officers, and other officers of the Department, including heads of operating units. She will provide direction to 14 different legal offices, and direct the operations of ten offices that report directly to her, including three Assistant General Counsels and seven Chief Counsels. Ms. Claffee most recently served as Deputy General Counsel at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Prior to that position, she served as Deputy Associate Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice. She received her law degree from the University of Minnesota.

As Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Dr. Brennan will play a leadership role in conserving and managing marine resources, as well as global oceans and atmosphere. Brennan is also currently the Acting Director of the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, an interagency program that coordinates and integrates scientific research on changes in climate and related systems. He holds an undergraduate degree in marine biology, a graduate degree in marine policy, and a doctorate degree in ecology and environmental sciences.

Secretary Gutierrez is in St. Petersburg, Russia to discuss U.S.-Russian bilateral trade and to address the 12th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum on June 7.