Norton swears in new officials

FROM THE ARCHIVE

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 2001

Heavy humidity in Washington, DC, on Tuesday afternoon couldn't prevent Secretary Gale Norton from doing what she's been wanting to do for quite some time: swear in her top advisers at the Department of Interior.

In a rooftop ceremony at Interior headquarters, Norton officially welcomed her new agency heads. "I can't tell you how happy I am today to be swearing-in my newly confirmed department officials," she said.

"You may have read in the newspapers recently that my tenure at the Interior Department has been compared to a movie released during the holidays a few years ago," she added. "They've said I'm 'Home Alone.'"

Up until last week when the Senate confirmed six Interior nominees, the analogy was a pretty good one. Except that Norton hasn't been fending off robbers -- well maybe just the House and Senate who don't want her to drill certain federal lands.

At any rate, she welcomed Deputy Secretary Steve Griles; Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Bennett Raley; Director for National Park Service Fran Mainella and Commissioner for Bureau of Reclamation John Keyes into the family. Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Neal McCaleb -- who had been sworn-in on July 4 -- went along for the ride and was accompanied by Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, who held the Bible used in the ceremony.

Assistant Secretary for Policy Management and Budget Lynn Scarlett and Solicitor William Myers were not present because they had other business, said Norton.

Get Norton's Remarks:
Swearing In Ceremony for Department Heads (DOI 7/17)

Department of Interior Profiles:
Deputy Secretary: J. Stephen Griles (3/9)
Solicitor: Bill G. Myers (3/30)
Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget: P. Lynn Scarlett (4/4)
Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs: Neal McCaleb (4/18)