NEWARK, NJ - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) issued the following statement today on the resignation of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar:

"Ken Salazar is my friend, my brother, mi hermano, as we always call each other, and he has been a friend to every American who cares about the preservation of our land and resources for future generations. Secretary Salazar has served well and his unique background and brand of leadership will be missed but not forgotten.

"His family settled in the American West four centuries ago, long before the United States was a country. His roots in Colorado's San Luis Valley go back five generations to a long line of farmers and ranchers. He has always been, first and foremost, a champion of the land and a friend to rural communities, farmers and ranchers, all of his life.

"When he was in Congress I worked closely with him on issues affecting the Hispanic-American community, on energy issues, transportation, telecommunications, and on children's health and health care for older Americans. Serving in the Senate with Ken on the Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force and working with him in his capacity as Interior Secretary has been a true honor, especially when it comes to our joint effort to make a Smithsonian American Latino Museum on the National Mall a reality. There is no one more committed to a Latino Museum than Ken.He leaves a great environmental legacy of cutting red tape to allow renewable energy development on public lands and hopefully soon in federal waters as well.And it was a personal pleasure to work with him to re-open the crown of the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island.

"I wish Ken and his family all the best. After four successful years as Secretary of the Interior and a lifetime of service, he has earned the thanks of a grateful nation for all he has done as America's number one champion of our lands and resources. Good luck, hermano."

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