Secretary Kempthorne and Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Doug Domenech Bid Farewell to Interior and OIA

Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, January 14, 2009, Secretary Kempthorne delivered his farewell remarks to Department of the Interior staff members at an all-employee meeting in the Yates Auditorium of the Main Interior Building in Washington, D.C. He expressed his appreciation to employees for their hard work and professionalism and said that he believed Interior to be the best department ever for which to work.

Later the same day Secretary Kempthorne paid a visit to the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) to bid a personal farewell to OIA staff members. Staff members presented the Secretary with gifts normally bestowed upon a matai (chief) in American Samoa: a kava bowl, a to'oto'o (talking stick) and a fue (fly whisk) – all symbols of a matai's authority. The gifts were fitting given that in June 2007, when visiting American Samoa, Secretary Kempthorne had received from the territory's paramount chiefs and high talking chiefs the matai title of Pulele'i'ite, which means "the ruler who can foretell the future".

In presenting the gifts to the Secretary, Director Nik Pula said, "Today I speak on behalf of the OIA staff and also, I believe, on behalf of the people of the territories and the freely associated states when I say, 'Thank you'. Thank you for all the time and personal attention that you accorded to the issues and the people in the islands."

The Secretary and OIA staff members shared some cake before the Secretary headed on his way to other meetings. Upon departing, the Secretary took with him the make-shift cards on the table which read "OIA heart DIRK".

Later in the week on Friday, January 16, OIA Director Pula and seventeen OIA staff members held a farewell luncheon for Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary Doug Domenech at the Corcoran Gallery restaurant, one block from Main Interior. Director Pula again expressed OIA's appreciation for the time, energy and advocacy that Mr. Domenech and out-going Secretary Kempthorne have given to the islands.

Image Secretary Kempthorne Bids Farwell	DOI gifts Sec Kempthorne with Cabinet Seat and Utah Highway patrol Leather Jacket
Image OIA staff awaiting Sec. Kempthorne's Visit.	Sec Kempthorne visits OIA Jan 15
Image Nik presenting matai gifts to Sec Kempthorne, Pulele'i'lte Jan 14	OIA Hearts DIRK
Image Sharing light moments in OIA conference room	OIA Staff Jan '09
Image OIA staff host Doug Domenech for a going-away lunch at Corcoran	Nik Pula gives farewell speech for Doug Domenech
Image Nik presents photograph with OIA staff autographs for Doug Domenech	Nik presents photograph with OIA staff autographs for Doug Domenech