Secretary Kempthorne presents the Department's Valor Award to Bureau of Land Management firefighters Scott W. Brandt,Michael D. Hendrickson, Lester M. McDonald, Michael Sperry, Michael C. McMaster, Scott Meneely, Andrew Rishavy, Andrea Robinson, Andrew Snyder, and Steven Spellberg (awardees listed in alphabetical order). Hi-Res

Secretary Kempthorne Presents Awards
to Employees and Private Citizens
at Interior’s 65th Honors Convocation

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne presented 92 awards at the 65th Honors Convocation of the Department of the Interior.

“Today we are recognizing those who show the Department of the Interior at its best,” Secretary Kempthorne said. “They represent diverse disciplines. They hail from different parts of the country. Some performed brave, timely acts in an emergency to save lives. Others worked for years and produced outstanding achievements for the Department.”

The awards honor employees of the Department and its agencies as well as private citizens who have performed acts of heroism in emergencies or demonstrated longstanding excellence in serving Interior’s mission. The 92 awards presented included the Distinguished Service Award, the Valor Award, the Citizens Award for Bravery and the Department Safety Awards. In addition, the ceremony acknowledged 73 employees receiving the Meritorious Service Award.  more

On Monday, May 12, 2008, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne delivered the keynote address at the Department's Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony that honored Interior officers who have died in the line of duty. Hi-Res

Secretary Kempthorne Honors
Interior Law Enforcement Officers
at Memorial Ceremony

On Monday, May 12, 2008, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne delivered the keynote address at the Department's Law Enforcement Memorial Ceremony that honored Interior officers who have died in the line of duty. The Department has more than 4,000 sworn law enforcement officers who protect the public and Interior employees as part of the National Park Service, U.S. Park Police, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Reclamation. In the 159-year history of the Department, 96 law officers have died while protecting the people and communities they serve.

Interior joins the Nation in observing the week of May 11–17 as National Police Week 2008. Police Week honors the men and women in law enforcement who make daily sacrifices to serve their communities and the United States, particularly those who have made the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives in the service of others. The 2008 national theme is “Surrounded by Heroes." more

Doug Domenech Will Head
Insular Affairs at Interior

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne has named Douglas W. Domenech to be Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs.

Domenech, who currently serves as Secretary Kempthorne’s Deputy Chief of Staff, will provide policy-level leadership for Insular Affairs, a position that had been held by David Cohen, who resigned in January 2008 to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

“I have full confidence in Doug, whose commitment to this Administration, management expertise, background and knowledge will be invaluable in carrying out our responsibilities for the U.S. territories and freely associated states, “ Kempthorne said.  more

About the Department of the interior
The Department of the Interior (DOI) is the nation’s principal conservation agency. Interior is a large, decentralized agency with over 80,000 employees and 180,000 volunteers located at approximately 2,400 operating locations across the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. territories, and freely associated states. more
Mission Statement	History
Key Officials	Past Secretaries
Organizational Chart	Quick Facts
DOI In the News	Strategic Plan
DOI en Español	Interior Library
Below are links to some DOI sites that may be of interest:
Water	Science
Floods	Astrogeology at USGS
Supply in the West	Hurricanes
Conservation	Earthquakes
Resources	Energy
Land	Wildlife
Fire	Endangered Species
Maps	Habitats & Conservation
Parks / Refuges / BLM Lands	Wild Horse & Burro Adoption
Offshore Lands/Volcanoes	Duck Stamps
Communities	InfoLinks
Special Trustee	www.HealthyForests.gov
Indian Trust	Avian Influenza Information
Territories and Islands	2005 Hurricane Recovery