This is historical material, "frozen in time." The web site is no longer updated and links to external web sites and some internal pages will not work.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release December 21, 2000

         PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES KENNETH LEE SMITH TO SERVE AS
        ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FISH, WILDLIFE, AND PARKS AT THE
                       DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

      President Clinton today announced the recess appointment of

Kenneth Lee Smith to serve as Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks at the Department of the Interior (DOI). Mr. Smith was nominated to the Senate on October 24, 2000. This position is vital for the day-to-day operation of the department.

Mr. Kenneth Lee Smith of Hot Springs, Arkansas, is the former Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the Secretary at DOI. As Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Smith directed staff in the Office of the Secretary and served as a liaison to the White House and other federal agencies. From 1997 to 1998, Mr. Smith was the Executive Director of the Ozark Natural Science Center, a non-profit education foundation, where he secured funding for programs and conducted community outreach. From 1995 to 1997, Mr. Smith served as Director of External Affairs at DOI. As Director, Mr. Smith coordinated administrative policy with conservation, business, and professional associations interacting with the DOI. From 1994 to 1995, Mr. Smith was the Deputy Director of Congressional Affairs at DOI. In this capacity, Mr. Smith oversaw legislation affecting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, and the National Biological Survey. From 1993 to 1994, Mr. Smith was the Deputy Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where he managed the Congressional and Public Affairs Office, the Wildlife and Sportfishing Restoration Federal Aid grant programs, and Partnership Initiatives. Mr. Smith also was Assistant to the Governor for Governors Bill Clinton and Jim Guy Tucker, advising them on natural resource and cultural issues from 1989 to 1993.

Mr. Smith received a B.S. in Biology from Southern Arkansas University and an M.S. in Biology from Arkansas State University.

The Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks is responsible for the conservation, utilization and preservation of the fish, wildlife, recreation, historical, cultural, and park resources of the nation. The Assistant Secretary also provides policy guidance and administrative oversight for the programs and initiatives of the National Park Service and the Fish and Wildlife Service. The Assistant Secretary is responsible for ensuring that a careful balance is struck between allowing public use of national parks and wildlife refuge lands while preventing such use from being adverse to the resources themselves. Additionally, the Assistant Secretary oversees the management and enforcement of the Endangered Species Act.

30-30-30