U.S. Department of the Interior
Office of the Secretary

Paul Bledsoe (202)208-3171


For Release: January 22, 1996

Patricia J. Beneke of Iowa was sworn in today to become Assistant Secretary of Water and Science for the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Beneke, who was nominated by President Clinton in September, was confirmed by the Senate Friday, December 22, 1995 by unanimous consent. Ms. Beneke was sworn in by Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt.

Babbitt praised Beneke's appointment and approval by the Senate. "Patty Beneke is a person of remarkable talent and leadership ability. Her work in the Senate and at this Department has proven time and again her fairness, skill and dedication. We are fortunate to have her as our key person on the issues of water and science."

"I am deeply grateful to the President and Secretary Babbitt for the trust they have placed in me, and to the Senate for their support," Asst. Secretary Beneke said. "My job now is to continue our efforts to make water and science policy that will help American families and businesses prosper while conserving our environmental and natural resources for future generations. We need to be careful stewards of our natural heritage." As Assistant Secretary for Water and Science, Beneke will oversee policy for, and operation of, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey.

Ms. Beneke, a native of Ames, Iowa, received a B.A. from Iowa State University in 1976 and a J.D. in 1979 from Harvard Law School. After graduating from Harvard, she was an attorney in both the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Justice Department. From 1983 to 1985, Ms. Beneke was in private law practice. From 1985 to 1993, Beneke was first Minority Counsel and then Senior Counsel to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

In May of 1993, Ms. Beneke was appointed Associate Solicitor for Energy and Resources for the Interior Department. She had most recently been Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Science.

Ms. Beneke resides in McLean, Virginia, with her husband, Robert J. Waters, and their two children, Laura and Kathleen.

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