Washington, D.C. – President Bush has nominated Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne to be the next Secretary of the Interior.

Wyoming U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi is pleased with the choice and noted that Kempthorne "made more progress on a bipartisan effort to modernize the Endangered Species Act than anyone to date."

"He has governed a state that borders Wyoming. He understands Wyoming interests and problems because they are very similar to his state's. He understands public land and respects multiple use," said Enzi. "I served in the U.S. Senate with him and I've always appreciated his work ethic. He read the bills. He studied the issues. He worked across the aisle. He will do an outstanding job.

"Interior Secretary Gale Norton resigned last week. The Senate must confirm Kempthorne before he can take office.