When Interior Secretary Doug Burgum took office earlier this year, he found a message from his predecessor with simple advice: enjoy the mission and the people of the Interior Department.
Deb Haaland, the Interior secretary during the Biden administration and the first Native American woman to hold the title, wrote the “welcome” message on her personalized stationary on Jan. 20, her final day in office. It was obtained by POLITICO’s E&E News in a Freedom of Information Act request.
In looping script, Haaland wrote: “My wish for you is that you find immense joy in all this Department manages and upholds, our beautiful public lands, our Tribal Nations and the amazing career staff.”
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She added: “May your time here be the most memorable.”
