A resolution honoring the life of Dirk Arthur Kempthorne, former United States Senator for the State of Idaho.

# Senate Honors Former Idaho Senator Dirk Kempthorne

Congress has unanimously passed a resolution honoring the life and legacy of former Idaho Senator Dirk Kempthorne, who died in April at age 74 from complications of late-stage cancer. The Senate resolution, introduced by Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho with all colleagues as co-sponsors, recognizes Kempthorne's decades of public service to the nation.

Kempthorne's career spanned multiple levels of government. He served as Idaho's 30th governor from 1999 to 2006 before being confirmed as the 49th Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2006. Prior to his governorship, he represented Idaho in the U.S. Senate. His tenure as Interior Secretary focused on natural resource management and conservation policy during the George W. Bush administration.

The unanimous passage of the resolution reflects the bipartisan respect Kempthorne earned during his career in public service. Idaho is honoring him with a full state ceremony this week, with his body lying in the Idaho State Capitol Rotunda on May 15 for public visitation, followed by a funeral service on May 16 at the Cathedral of the Rockies in Boise.