I have learned a tremendous amount from both my parents, and just because I am a parent myself does not mean the learning has stopped.

Even now, in his 80s, my Dad continues as a source of inspiration, pride and advice.

I know I can still count on him for needed insight, a pick-me-up after a hard day and a well-done after a good day. He’s also not afraid to let me know when he thinks I need to do something better, either, and let me tell you, he is usually right.

Writer Clarence Budington Kelland once said: “My father didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.”

That’s my Dad.

That’s how my four brothers and I learned how to hunt and fish, canoe and camp, watching Dad do something he loved and feeling that love rub off on us.

I am where I am now – Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – because my Dad shared with us the importance of his job and let us tag along on work-related outings. 

He also showed us by his actions the importance of integrity and standing up for your people, especially when they can’t defend themselves

Thank you, Dad, for helping me grow into the person I am today.

And to all Dads out there, Happy Father’s Day!

We are proposing today to give all chimpanzees the full protections of the Endangered Species Act, or ESA.

Chimpanzees by Chi King, Flickr

Threats batter chimpanzees as habitat loss, poaching and disease continue. A growing human population across the 22 countries of Equatorial Africa is also taking its toll. As humans demand more, chimpanzees get less -- Less land, less water, less food, less everything.

Conservation heroes like British primatologist Jane Goodall have dedicated their lives to understand chimpanzees in the wild and raise worldwide awareness about their plight.  We stand with Dr. Goodall and others today in the hope that this proposal will ignite renewed public interest in the status of chimpanzees in the wild.

We have also been helping chimpanzees for years. Our Great Ape Conservation Fund has been steadily promoting their conservation.

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We are proposing to remove gray wolves from the list of threatened and endangered species throughout the United States and Mexico. Photo by Gary Kramer/USFWS

As many of you probably know, my dad had a great, 37-year career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and he describes the outfit as a collection of people who get things done -- doers.  Nowhere is that trait more proudly displayed than in our four decade effort to restore the gray wolf to the American landscape, bringing the species back from extirpation and exile from the contiguous United States.

I'm the 16th Director of the Service. It was the 10th, John Turner, a Wyoming rancher and outfitter, appointed by a Republican President, who signed the record of decision that set in motion this miraculous reintroduction and recovery. It's never been easy. We've had critics, fair and unfair. We've had great partners. Sometimes they have been one in the same. But this organization and its people have been constant. Steadfast. Committed. Professional. Determined. Now add successful!

This great predator again roams the range, ridges and remote spaces of the Northern Rocky Mountains and the Western Great Lakes in one of the spectacular successes of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).  These recovered populations are not just being tolerated, but are expanding under professional management by our state partners.

Today, for one reason, and one reason only, we are proposing to remove the gray wolf from the list of threatened and endangered species throughout the United States and Mexico -- they are no longer in danger of extinction now or in the foreseeable future.

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