October 13, 1983
The President today announced his intention to nominate William P. Clark to be Secretary of the Interior.
Mr. Clark has been serving as Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs since February 1982. He joined the Reagan administration in March of 1981 as Deputy Secretary of State.
From 1973 to 1981, Mr. Clark was an associate justice on the California State Supreme Court. He was appointed to the court by Governor Reagan. From 1971 to 1973 Mr. Clark was an associate justice for the California Court of Appeals. As an appellate justice, his decisions included those affecting land management and conservation issues. Previously he served as a judge for the Superior Court of California from 1969 to 1971.
From 1967 to 1969, Mr. Clark was chief of staff to Governor Reagan in Sacramento. He was responsible for the reorganization of the executive branch of State government. Mr. Clark dealt extensively with several departments of the Federal Government's executive branch as well as the congressional delegation from California.
From 1959 to 1969, he was senior partner with the law firm of Clark, Cole and Fairfield in Oxnard, Calif. Following World War II, he served in the Counter Intelligence Corps in Western Europe.
Mr. Clark attended Stanford and Santa Clara Universities and Loyola Night Law School. He is a rancher and fourth generation Californian. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were each ranchers. He is married to the former Joan Brauner, and they have five children. He was born October 23, 1931.