>Swearing in of Dirk Kempthorne to the position of Secretary of the Interior of the United States

(Senate - May 26, 2006)

Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I am pleased to be able to recognize the distinguished achievement of my friend and fellow Idahoan Dirk Kempthorne, who will be sworn in today as the 49th Secretary of the Interior of the United States. Throughout years of public service from mayor of Idaho's capitol, United States Senator, Governor, and now Interior Secretary, Dirk is a man of many accomplishments and is of the highest character and integrity.

   I have known Dirk since the 1980s when we both served the public in Idaho. As a matter of fact, I kind of owe my current job to him, as I won his seat when he left the Senate to go back to Idaho to become Governor.

   Dirk has dedicated his life to public service. From his time in the Idaho Department of Lands, as mayor, as Senator, and as Governor, he has always been recognized by those from both sides of the aisle for his tremendous leadership skills. He utilizes his thorough understanding of policy together with cultured consensus-building abilities to see the most effective policies carried out through legislation and governance. These qualities will serve the nation well as he takes on the many challenges facing the Department of the Interior in the 21st century.

   Through the diversity of his public service, especially as mayor and Governor, Dirk understands the real value of federalism, one that recognizes that the Government closest to the people is asked to do the most, often with fewest resources. His service as mayor taught him the lessons that ultimately led to his leadership in many relevant and important issues during his time in the Senate.

   A further reflection of that approach is his pioneering work on Endangered Species Act issues. In addition to taking his seat in the Senate, Dirk preceded me as chairman of the Environment Subcommittee with jurisdiction over species conservation. In that capacity, he led a bipartisan effort to update and improve our Nation's laws to better protect and promote the recovery of endangered and threatened species while recognizing the funding challenges. As Governor, Dirk kept up this beacon call and launched a successful public education initiative through the National Governors Association and Western Governors Association on the importance of ESA issues. Dirk is a respected national authority on resource issues and a promoter of collaborative decisionmaking to solve environmental conflicts.

   As Governor, he has also forged a strong working relationship with the five nationally recognized Native American tribes that reside in Idaho. Dirk recognizes the complexity of our trustee relationship with our tribes and has continuously sought to work cooperatively on matters that affect both the State and Native Americans.

   As chief steward of Idaho for the past 8 years, Dirk has vigorously championed innovation in environmental and natural resource sciences. Under his guidance, the State has taken a leadership role in applying scientific and technological innovation and research to the complex world of environmental and natural resource management. Dirk has also worked to advance the environmental mission of the Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory. He understands that Idaho's diversifying economy and unique resources require a dynamic mix of natural resource protection, appropriate rural economic development, and smooth integration of scientific advancements, educational research, and business know-how.

   Following the wildfires of 2000, Dirk worked with his fellow Governors and Federal officials to help bring a new approach to forest health and wildfire management. Under his leadership, Idaho has established effective and well-received wolf and grizzly bear management plans aimed at enhancing the State's responsibilities as Federal management is removed.

   There is no question in my mind that Dirk Kempthorne will make a superlative Secretary and establish a proud and esteemed legacy, and I congratulate him on this remarkable achievement and high honor.