OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mike Gauldin (O) 202/208-6416

January 13, 1997

National Parks Director Roger Kennedy announces resignation

National Park Service Director Roger Kennedy today announced his resignation.

Kennedy was appointed by President Clinton in 1993. His resignation will not take effect until a successor has been confirmed by the Senate, a process which could take several weeks or months after a successor has been nominated by the President

"Roger has ably served The President, the professionals of the National Park Service, and the American people for four years in a manner which has exemplified the best of citizen service to one's country,"said Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt. "It is with a great deal of respect and affection that I thank him for his service and wish him well.”

"As Director, Roger has set a new standard of excellence in articulating the purpose of our diverse national park system to the public, the Congress and the world. Never before have the parks had such an eloquent spokesman, advocate, and friend as Roger Kennedy."

Kennedy said, "Four years ago, I promised Secretary Babbitt that I would do my best to serve him, the President, and the National Park Service for a full four-year term. Having fulfilled that commitment, I have expressed to him my desire once again to retire. Since he has asked me to remain in office until a successor can be confirmed, I have agreed, grateful to serve a great Secretary and the splendid, patriotic people of the Service itself."

As Director, Roger Kennedy led the Service through its first comprehensive restructuring since World War II; gave heightened emphasis to public education as a primary function of the Service; championed wilderness and ecosystem management of parks while stressing that all parks are cultural at their roots; successfully battled against efforts to dismantle the System; forged new, lasting partnerships with the private sector in support of the parks; and upheld and renewed the Administration's commitment to enhance the careers of the professionals of the Service.

Roger Kennedy is the 14th person to serve as Director of the National Park Service since the agency was established in 1916. The national park system today consists of some 374 units in 49 states, the District of Columbia and 5 territories. In 1995 the System enjoyed 274 million visits, spread among the 80 million acres managed by the 20,000 career professional employees of the Service.

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