[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book I)]
[June 28, 1996]
[Pages 988-989]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the Death of Mollie Beattie
June 28, 1996

    America lost one of its great spirits with the untimely passing of 
Mollie Beattie. Mollie was a person who believed in the value of life 
and wildlife so deeply that she dedicated her many talents to preserving 
God's gracious Earth.
    As the first woman director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 
Mollie presided over a sea

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change in the administration of the Endangered Species Act by improving 
the way Government worked. She was the number one advocate for our 
national wildlife refuges, forever fighting to keep the system strong 
and growing.
    Mollie Beattie's devotion to this Earth and its creatures was 
passionate, caring, and wise. There is a grace and natural beauty in 
America; because of Mollie our country has even more of that grace. 
Hillary and I send our prayers and sympathies to Mollie's family. We 
will miss her.