WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), introduced Wyoming’s Rob Wallace before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Wallace was recently nominated by President Trump to serve as the assistant secretary for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks at the Department of the Interior.
Wallace, who currently serves as president of the Upper Green River Conservancy in Wyoming, testified yesterday before the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, which Barrasso chairs. Due to the nature of the position Wallace is nominated for, both the Senate Energy and EPW committees share jurisdiction over his nomination.
For video of Wallace’s second day of testimony click here and for his written testimony click here.
Senator Barrasso’s remarks:
“I appreciate the opportunity to join my colleague, Senator Enzi, in introducing our friend Rob Wallace as President Trump’s nominee to serve as assistant secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks at the Department of the Interior.
“Rob has had two busy days here in the Senate.
“Yesterday, I chaired his nomination hearing upstairs in the Environment and Public Works Committee—because our committees both have jurisdiction over this.
“Of course, Rob did a great job discussing his experience and views of issues facing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
“Today, I expect the committee will focus more on the assistant secretary’s role to oversee the National Parks, which is actually where Rob began his career.
“Rob Wallace is the right person for the job.
“His 45-year career is comprised of service at nearly every possible relevant level of state and federal government, as well as the private sector.
“He has been on both sides of the legislative table – in government relations at the Park Service
and during his service here in the United State Senate.
“He led the staff for this very committee for former Senator Malcolm Wallop from Wyoming.
“Rob knows the challenges facing the department from his time as a seasonal ranger in Grand Teton National Park, as a long-time resident of Teton County, Wyoming, and from his time in the private sector.
“Rob has continued to demonstrate his commitment to this nation’s parks as one of the founding members of the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, and has spent many decades in leadership of organizations that promote conservation and cultivation of our natural resources for use in the future.
“One could argue that Rob’s entire career has prepared him to serve at Interior.
“I have known Rob for more than 35 years. I know him to be pragmatic, fair, and innovative. His dedication is second-to-none.
“It’s a pleasure to join Senator Enzi in introducing him here today, and I look forward to working with him after the Senate confirms his nomination.”
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