Secretary Salazar Visits Parks

Staff at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park welcomed Secretary Salazar to New Orleans on April 7th.

The secretary was in the city for a regional meeting on energy development of the U.S. outer continental shelf and visited Jean Lafitte's headquarters/French Quarter site. He was accompanied by his chief of staff, Tom Strickland.

Secretary Salazar briefly outlined his vision for the department, sharing priorities including energy and encouraging young people's interests in America's natural and cultural resources. He pointed to the National Park Service tradition of internships and summer hires as a way to involve youth that also presents possible career options.

After his remarks Secretary Salazar took questions from the staff and asked the audience about the recovery of New Orleans and south Louisiana from 2005's Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He also queried staff as to how long they had served with the National Park Service, noting that the many years of service represented in the room were a tribute to individual dedication and the loyalty the agency inspires in its employees.

During the meeting, superintendent David Luchsinger recognized ranger Jim Van Dorin for 20 years of service with the National Park Service. Secretary Salazar in turn recognized Luchsinger for his 30 years of NPS service.