OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 8, 1998

Stephanie Hanna (O) 202/208-6416

DONALD BARRY SWORN IN AS ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FISH AND WILDLIFE AND PARKS

Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt administered the oath of office to Donald J. Barry on July 6, officially beginning his tenure as Assistant Secretary for Fish & Wildlife & Parks. Barry has served the Clinton Administration as Acting Assistant Secretary since February, 1997. His confirmation was voted on by the U.S. Senate on June 26.

Barry joined the Clinton Administration in May, 1993, as Counselor to the Assistant Secretary for Fish & Wildlife & Parks, and became Deputy Assistant Secretary in 1995. Following the resignation of George T. Frampton, Jr. in February, 1997, Barry has overseen policy and management decisions for the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

"It is with great pleasure that I am now able to have this capable and dedicated public servant officially recognized for his contributions to the Clinton Administration and the Department of the Interior," Secretary Babbitt said. "Don Barry's been a key member of my team since the very beginning. He's an expert on the Endangered Species Act. He's been making the many difficult decisions that fall under the responsibility of the Assistant Secretary for Fish, Wildlife and Parks for so many months that I'm delighted the Senate has acted and given him the recognition he deserves."

Barry is a native of Monroe, Wisconsin, who received a Bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctor in law from the University of Wisconsin. Following his graduation from law school in 1974, Barry joined the Department of the Interior as a staff attorney for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, becoming Chief Counsel to the Service in 1980. In 1986, Barry left the Department to become General Counsel for Fisheries & Wildlife for the Committee on Merchant Marine & Fisheries in the U.S. House of Representatives. From 1991-1993, Barry served as Vice President for U.S. Land and Wildlife for the World Wildlife Fund.

"Don Barry is uniquely qualified for this position, having served at the Department of the Interior as a career civil servant and as an appointee of President Clinton for more than 16 years. He is someone who has dedicated his considerable skills to the conservation of this nation's wildlife and park resources."

Don Barry and his wife, Teiko Saito, are residents of Alexandria, Virginia.

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