ME347-2, James Watt, Secretary of the Interior, 1981-83. Michael Evans Portrait Project Photograph Collection; Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, Simi Valley, CA.

James G. Watt

United States Secretary of the Interior (1981-1983)

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Place of BirthLusk, WY, USA

James G. Watt began his long and distinguished political career in 1962, when he joined the campaign to elect Milward Simpson to U.S. Senator. Upon Simpson's successful bid, Watt joined the newly elected Wyoming senator where he served as a legislative assistant and counsel. He held this position through 1966 when Senator Simpson retired. Watt then held numerous positions in Washington D.C. from 1966-1972 including Secretary to the Natural Resources Committee and the Environmental Pollution Advisory Panel of the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, Special Assistant to the Secretary and Under Secretary of the Department of the Interior, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water and Power Resources. In July 1972, he was appointed Director of the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. In 1975, Watt joined the Federal Power Commission where he served as its commissioner and vice chairman. In 1977, Watt became the President and Chief Legal Officer of the Mountain States Legal Foundation. On December 22, 1980, James Watt was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to become the 43rd Secretary of the Interior of the United States. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 22, 1981, and was sworn into office at the White House the following day. In the fall of 1983, Watt began receiving tremendous pressure from various interest groups, the media, and elected officials to resign. Under this scrutiny, Watt submitted his resignation to President Reagan on October 9, which became effective at noon on November 8, 1983. James Gaius Watt was born in Lusk, Wyoming, on January 31, 1938, to William Gaius Watt and Lois Mae (Williams) Watt. He was raised in Lusk and in Wheatland. He earned a B.S. degree in business (College of Commerce and Industry) from the University of Wyoming in 1960, and received his J.D. law degree from there in 1962. He was very active during his years at the University of Wyoming including being the ASUW business manager and being the "Wyoming Law Journal Editor." He was a graduate instructor from 1960 to 1962, having taught business law and real estate. Mr. Watt married Wyoming native Leilani Bomgardner on November 2, 1957, and from this union they had two children, Erin and Eric.

From the guide to the James G. Watt Papers, 1958-2005, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)

Dates in Office 1981 - 1983 United States Secretary of the Interior

Additional National Archives holdings related to this Individual can be accessed at NAID:10570308