    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [March 10, 2006]
    [Pages 457-458]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Resignation of Gale Norton
    as Secretary of the Interior
    March 10, 2006

        Gale Norton has been a strong advocate for the wise use and
    protection of our Nation's natural resources and a valuable member of my
    administration for more than 5 years. As the first woman Secretary of
    the Interior, she served the Nation well with her vision for cooperative
    conservation, protection and improvement of our national parks and
    public lands, and environmentally responsible energy development on
    public lands and waters. She was instrumental in establishing my Healthy
    Forests Initiative that has helped make communities safer from
    catastrophic fire, while improving wildlife habitat. Gale played an
    influential role in shaping the Nation's offshore and onshore energy
    policies to help enhance America's domestic production. When Hurricane
    Katrina devastated the gulf coast region, she played a leading role in
    my administration's efforts to restore badly needed offshore energy
    production to avoid further supply disruption and higher energy costs
    for consumers. Because of her leadership and thoughtful attention to
    management, repairs, and maintenance issues, Americans will be able to
    better enjoy our great national parks and wildlife refuges for
    generations to come. I appreciate Gale's dedicated service to our
    country, and I wish Gale and John all the best.

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