WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama and Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar marked the 160th Anniversary of the Department of the Interior today in a ceremony at the Yates Auditorium in the Main Interior Building. In addition to the 600 employees who packed the auditorium to watch the event, department employees around the nation watched via satellite broadcast or listened via teleconference bridge. Congress established the department on March 3, 1849.

Related Links:

President Obama's remarks: http://www.doi.gov/secretary/speeches/030309_speech_pres_obama.html

Secretary Salazar's remarks: http://www.doi.gov/news/09_News_Releases/030309a.html

Audio of remarks: http://www.doi.gov/news/audio/podcasts/index.html