Dear Fellow Republicans -
A number of interest groups have launched an attack to distort the record of Gale Norton, the distinguished former Colorado Attorney General who President-elect George Bush selected to be Secretary of the Interior.
I know Gale Norton well. She is a fellow Coloradan. She is a good Republican -- and a strong environmentalist. She has worked for more than 20 years in a balanced way on environmental and federal land issues. She has played key roles in at least a dozen environmental clean-up projects, including leading efforts to ensure that the federal government cleaned up its hazardous wastes at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. She has served as the Associate Solicitor of the U.S.
Department of the Interior and as Chair of the Environmental Committee for the National Association of Attorneys General. She has earned high praise from all quarters for her work. She has the experience, qualifications and intellect to be an outstanding Secretary of Interior. Gale Norton needs your help. Please take a few minutes to read the truth about Gale Norton by visiting the RNC website at http://www.rnc.org/norton.htm Also, please read the attached fact sheet. Then, please, call, fax and e-mail the Senators listed at the end of this letter and urge them to support the nomination of Gale Norton.
Forward this e-mail to your friends and family and encourage them to do the same. The voices of concerned Americans who know the facts about Gale Norton can overcome those who want to distort her record. It's time to restore dignity to our political process. Thank you for your help.
Sincerely, Chairman Jim Nicholson
P.S. Please don't forget to contact these Senators, and to forward this e-mail to as many people as you can!
Go to http://www.senate.gov/senators/senator_by_state.cfm to find the contact information for the Senators from your state.
Also, here are the Members on the Energy & Natural Resources Committee who will hold their confirmation hearing on Thursday, January 18, 2001:
Democrats
Bingaman, Jeff (D - NM) Chairman, (202) 224-5521, senator_bingaman@bingaman.senate.gov
Akaka, Daniel (D - HI),(202) 224-6361, senator@akaka.senate.gov
Dorgan, Byron (D - ND), (202) 224-2551, senator@dorgan.senate.gov
Graham, Bob (D - FL), (202) 224-3041, bob_graham@graham.senate.gov
Wyden, Ron (D - OR), (202) 224-5244, http://wyden.senate.gov/mail.htm
Johnson, Tim (D - SD),(202) 224-5842, tim@johnson.senate.gov
Landrieu, Mary (D - LA), (202) 224-5824, http://landrieu.senate.gov/webform.html
Bayh, Evan (D - IN), (202) 224-5623, http://bayh.senate.gov/WebMail.html
Lincoln, Blanche (D- AR), (202) 224-4843, blanche_lincoln@lincoln.senate.gov
Republicans
Murkowski, Frank (R - AK), Ranking Member, (202) 224-6665, http://murkowski.senate.gov/webmail.html
Domenici, Pete (R - NM), (202)224-6621, senator_domenici@domenici.senate.gov
Nickles, Don (R - OK), (202) 224-5754, senator@nickles.senate.gov
Craig, Larry (R - ID), (202) 224-2752, http://www.senate.gov/~craig/webform.html
Campbell, Ben Nighthorse (R - CO), (202) 224-5852
Thomas, Craig (R - WY), (202) 224-6441, http://thomas.senate.gov/html/contact.html
Smith, Gordon (R - OR), (202) 224-3753, http://www.senate.gov/~gsmith/webform.htm
Bunning, Jim (R - KY), (202) 224-4343, jim_bunning@bunning.senate.gov
Fitzgerald, Peter (R - IL), (202) 224-2854, senator_fitzgerald@fitzgerald.senate.gov
Burns, Conrad (R - MT), (202) 224-2644, conrad_burns@burns.senate.gov Secretary of the Interior
Norton Will Manage Our Public Lands and Resources Responsibly as Secretary of the Interior
"From the time I was a young child growing up in Colorado, I have loved the Rocky Mountains -- a place to hike with my dog, or watch an elk in a grove of aspen trees, or contemplate eternity while gazing at jagged mountain peaks. From the ancient ruins of Mesa Verde, to the grandeur of Yosemite and the vast open lands of the West, from the untamed wilderness of Alaska, to our nation's historic treasures in Washington, DC, the public lands of the United States are amazing places."
-- Gale Norton, December 29, 2000
As Attorney General of Colorado, Gale Norton was known for her ability to work with legislators and concerned citizens on a broad range of complex and divisive issues. Gale Norton is superbly qualified to serve as the 48th Secretary of the Department of the Interior -- the first woman ever appointed to that position. She will develop and strengthen strong partnerships with the States, local governments, and private citizens to restore our National Parks, protect endangered species, and promote innovative stewardship programs. She will support President Bush to develop our nation's vast energy and mineral resources in an environmentally responsible manner.
Gale Norton Understands the National Significance of Our Public Lands and Resources.
* She grew up on the outskirts of Denver, enjoying firsthand the great outdoors in the Rocky Mountains. She has spent most of her professional life in Colorado, working with local communities and businesses, among others, and then serving as the State Attorney General. She and her husband, John Hughes, now live in Highlands Ranch.
* Norton graduated magna cum laude from the University of Denver in 1975 and was nominated to the honor society Phi Beta Kappa. She went on to the University of Denver College of Law where she graduated with a Juris Doctor degree in 1978. She was a member of the Order of St. Ives, the law school honor society.
* Norton has had an extended career in public service. After law school, Norton joined the University of Denver law school faculty as Interim Director of the Transportation Law program. She also served as a Law Clerk for the Colorado Court of Appeals in Denver. In the 1980's, Norton moved to Washington, D.C. working at the Department of Agriculture and then the Department of the Interior as Associate Solicitor for Conservation and Wildlife, where she gained significant experience relating to the management and preservation of public lands and environmental protection.
* Norton returned to Colorado in 1988 and served as Attorney General from 1991 through 1999, after being elected in 1990 and overwhelmingly re-elected in 1994. She worked closely with State agencies to achieve consensus on the issues that impacted Colorado, while also serving as an aggressive advocate for State interests, including environmental cleanup, in State and federal courts.
Gale Norton's Professional Experience Reflects the Breadth of Her Expertise, Her Ability to Promote Collaboration and Partnerships, and Her Leadership.
* Gale Norton has more than 20 years experience on environmental and natural resource issues.
* As Colorado Attorney General, Gale Norton was committed to enforcing the law fairly, but firmly. She led efforts to ensure that the federal government cleaned up its hazardous and toxic wastes at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal; she played a major role in the national tobacco litigation that resulted in an unprecedented settlement and distribution of funds to the States; and she actively participated in the settlement of complex water rights disputes.
* She has testified before Congress more than 20 times on issues ranging from the national tobacco litigation and civil liability reform to implementation of the National Environmental Protection Act ("NEPA"), Superfund, and the Colorado Wilderness bill.
* Norton has represented the State of Colorado in thousands of cases and personally argued two cases before the United States Supreme Court.
* As Associate Solicitor for Conservation and Wildlife at the Department of the Interior, Norton was responsible for all legal matters involving the Fish and Wildlife Service, implementation of the Endangered Species Act, and the National Park Service. Her record demonstrates that she was an effective advocate for the Services, fighting to preserve Parks and Refuges and protect endangered species and migratory birds. Among other things, she played a key role in the following:
* The Phoenix Indian School Land trade that added 80,000 ? 90,000 acres to the Big Cyprus National Preserve;
* A measure adding 5,000 acres to complete the Florida Panther National Wildlife Reserve in Florida;
* Conservation efforts for the California Condor;
* Regulations banning toxic lead shot for migratory birds;
* Acquisition of land for the Appalachian Trail;
* Restoration of the Statute of Liberty and Ellis Island;
* The original agreement negotiated with Senator McCain to restrict overflights in the Grand Canyon.
* Norton currently serves as the Environment Chair for the Republican National Lawyers Association.
* Norton was appointed by President Bush to serve on the Western Water Policy Commission from 1993 to 1995.
* She served as the Chair of the Environmental Committee for the National Association of Attorneys General in 1992-1993, and as Vice Chair of the Supreme Court Committee in 1993-1994.
* Norton has served on the Boards of a number of organizations including, the Colorado Women's Forum, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, and the Council on Crime in America.
Gale Norton's Achievements Have Been Widely Recognized.
* Norton has received a number of honors for her work in public service. Among other things, she received the Mary Lathrop Trailblazer Award from the Colorado Women's Bar Association in 1999; the Children's Champion Award from the Colorado Children's Campaign in 1998; and the Women's Leadership Award from the Girl Scouts, Mile High Chapter in 1997.
* USA Weekend Magazine named her a Leader for the Future in 1991.
* She was named the Federalist Society Young Lawyer of the Year in 1991.
Gale Norton's Approach to Land and Resource Management Issues Will Promote Innovation, Collaborative Solutions, and Partnerships.
* Gale Norton believes that the great wild places and unspoiled landscapes of this country are the common heritage of all Americans. They must be both conserved and managed responsibly for Americans living and for future generations.
* As Associate Solicitor, she demonstrated her willingness and ability to preserve sensitive lands, protect endangered species, and improve the infrastructure of our National Parks.
* She is committed to finding opportunities for consultation and collaboration with States, local communities and stakeholders. As Attorney General, she involved local communities, as well as State and federal officials, in the cleanup of Rocky Mountain Arsenal and the Leadville Superfund site.
* Norton will insist on results, taking a "performance-focused" approach. It is not enough to have good intentions; the Department must measure outcomes and, where necessary, be prepared to improve its effectiveness to achieve our common goals.
* Norton will promote innovative approaches to solving resource management programs, using new technologies and incentives where appropriate. For example, as Attorney General, she supported the Colorado self-audit law because it encouraged companies to identify and correct environmental violations that would not otherwise have been detected. The result was a cleaner environment.
* She will take advantage of the new digital tools available to implement "e-government" as a means to encourage public participation and make the Department more open and accessible to everyone.
* Norton recognizes that the federal government has a special responsibility to make the American dream accessible to Native Americans. She is committed to working in partnership with the Tribes to improve conditions and create a more hopeful future. Gale Norton has Earned Widespread Respect and Praise.
* A good choice for Interior . . . . "Norton is low-key, reliable, knowledgable and all business. She understands public lands and water issues like few who have been appointed to the post, and favors an approach that preserves the environment without abridging historical property and access rights. She also has the knack for getting along with those of differing views." Editorial, Rocky Mountain News, 12/31/00.
* A consensus builder . . . . "She was instrumental in forming a cooperative effort between the state and federal government. She demonstrated her ability to forge compromise when she took a lead role in crafting the settlement between the tobacco industry and the states. We believe Norton will be able to work constructively with environmental groups even if she has philosophical differences with them." Editorial, Denver Post, 12/30/00.
* Willing to Listen . . . . "We can talk to Gale Norton. She was always willing to discuss things with us." Tina Arapkiles, Sierra Club Southwest Regional Representative, quoted in The Washington Times, 1/8/01.
* Smart and ethical . . . . "She is widely regarded as a person of great intelligence, a good lawyer, smart, ethical, and somebody you can talk to." Alan Salazar, Chief of Staff for U.S. Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO), and former senior aide for former Democratic Governor of Colorado Roy Romer; Borenstein, Knight Ridder/Tribune News Services, 12/30/00.
* Committed to enforcing environmental laws . . . . "There was never one iota of reticence to pursue polluters on Norton's part. She took her role in enforcing our laws very, very seriously and did an excellent job on behalf of [the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.]" Patrick Teegarden, democrat, Policy Director, Department of Public Health and Environment, Rocky Mountain News, 1/14/01.
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