Former President Jimmy Carter issued this statement today on the passing of four-time Idaho Gov. Cecil Andrus, whom Carter appointed as his Secretary of the Interior:

“Rosalynn and I join thousands across our nation in mourning the passing of Cecil Andrus, a friend from the time we served together as governors.  Cece was the only person I considered for the cabinet post of secretary of the interior, and together we made conservation history with the successful passage of the Alaska lands legislation, which doubled the size of the National Parks, established large additions to the National Wildlife Refuge System, designated new wild and scenic rivers and protected for future generations entire ecosystems such as the Gates of the Arctic.

“A special memory Rosalynn and I cherish is the float trip with Carol and Cece down the Middle Fork of the Salmon, competing in catching the most trout.  Cece loved the outdoors and was a genuine conservationist.  Americans are better off because of his service, and I am better because of his friendship.”

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