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.
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