Washington, DC, September 29, 2006 - William B. Wark and William E. Wright have been appointed and sworn in as members of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB), the agency announced today.

The two new board members were reported favorably from the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on September 13 and confirmed by the full Senate on September 15. They were appointed by the president on September 22 and sworn into office on September 28.

William B. Wark was ceremonially sworn in today on Capitol Hill by U.S. Senator Susan Collins of Maine. Mr. Wark said, "I am honored and grateful to the president and Senate for this appointment. I look forward to promoting the safety of workers in chemical facilities and their surrounding communities as a member of the Board." He formerly served as Deputy Director for the Technological Hazards Division at the Federal Emergency Management Agency from 1999 to 2001.

"I am delighted to have been appointed to be a member of the Board. The products of the CSB are impressive, and I look forward to working with the professionals of the Board and staff," said William E. Wright. Mr. Wright previously served as Chairman of the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board from 2001 until his appointment to the CSB. He recently retired as a captain in the U.S. Navy, where he served for the past 30 years.

CSB Chairman Carolyn W. Merritt, who was appointed in August 2002, said, "The Board is delighted to have two new members of such distinction and experience. They will make a much-welcomed contribution to the agency's investigative and outreach efforts throughout the country. All of us who are here very much look forward to working with Mr. Wark and Mr. Wright and using their expertise."

The CSB is an independent federal agency charged with investigating industrial chemical accidents. The agency's board members are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical accidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in safety management systems.

The Board does not issue citations or fines but does make safety recommendations to plants, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as OSHA and EPA. Please visit our website, www.CSB.gov.

For more information, contact Daniel Horowitz, (202) 261-7613 / (202) 441-6074 cell or Jennifer Jones (202) 261-3603.