Pombo congratulates
Kempthorne on confirmation

5/26/06 WASHINGTON - House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA) today congratulated new Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne on his confirmation in the Senate.

"Secretary Kempthorne boasts an impressive resume of public service," Pombo said. "He was a distinguished U.S. Senator and governor, and I expect him to perform just as well as secretary of the interior. I welcome him back to the nation's capital and look forward to working with him.

"Secretary Kempthorne can expect to face many of the same challenges I have as chairman of the Resources Committee," Pombo said. "Balancing the nation's energy and infrastructure demands with the needs of the environment is not an easy task, but I trust Secretary Kempthorne is up to the challenge."

Kempthorne, a former six-term U.S. Senator and the current governor of Idaho, was confirmed by a 85-8 vote.