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A5 THE ASTORIAN • SATuRdAy, AuguST 21, 2021 OBITUARIES Biden nominates Oregon tribal leader for park service director By GARY WARNER and ANTONIO SIERRA Oregon Capital Bureau and East Oregonian President Joe Biden nom- inated Chuck Sams, a long- time tribal leader from Ore- gon, as director of the National Park Service. Sams, 50, a former administrator of the Con- federated Tribes of Uma- tilla Indian Reservation, is the president’s choice to run the service, which oversees a system that attracts 318 mil- lion visitors each year. If approved by the U.S. Senate, Sams would be the first Native American to serve as director of the National Park Service. He is an enrolled member of the Cayuse and Walla Walla tribes, which are part of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in northeastern Oregon. He and his wife, Lori Sams, and their four children live there. Sams would be the park service’s first full-time direc- tor since the Obama admin- istration. Former President Donald Trump nominated a candidate, but he was never confirmed by the Senate, and the agency has been over- seen by a series of acting directors for the past four years. The National Park Ser- vice, established in 1916, includes 63 National Parks, such as Crater Lake, Yosem- ite, Yellowstone and Grand Canyon. In all, the park service administers 85 million acres at 423 sites in all 50 states, plus the District of Colum- bia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa. The park service has over 12,000 employees. Biden’s proposed budget calls for $3.5 billion for the National Park Service. Sams will report to Inte- rior Secretary Deb Haaland, a former New Mexico con- Ben Lonergan/East Oregonian President Joe Biden has nominated Chuck Sams to be director of the National Park Service. gresswoman and the first Native American to hold the position. Gov. Kate Brown praised the selection, saying Sams would be an excellent stew- ard of the gems of America’s natural beauty. “Today is a proud day for Oregon. Chuck Sams is among Oregon’s finest, and I can’t think of a bet- ter person for the important role of National Park Ser- vice director,” Brown said. “I have worked closely with Chuck for many years, and have witnessed firsthand his unparalleled devotion and service to his tribe, our state, and our nation.” U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, had also endorsed Sams and said he was happy that Biden would submit Sams’ nomination. “I called my friend Chuck Sams today to congratulate him for earning this historic nomination for tribal com- munities,” Wyden said. “I very much look forward to working with him in his new role to help the National Park Service here in Oregon and throughout our country.” SEVENDAY FORECAST FOR ASTORIA TODAY SUNDAY MONDAY The Trust for Public Land, a conservation group, said Sams would be a good steward of the nation’s prime properties. “Chuck Sams is a vision- ary conservation leader with a deep demonstrated com- mitment to natural and cul- tural resources and the com- munities that depend on them,” said Diane Regas, the group’s CEO. “His positive focus on land restoration, species protection, youth programs, and access — give him a uniquely valuable perspective on America’s irreplaceable public lands.” Sams was chosen earlier this year by Brown as one of Oregon’s two representa- tives to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. He previously held positions with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Res- ervation, including execu- tive and deputy executive director, communications director and environmental health and safety officer and planner. He’s a veteran of the U.S. Navy. Sams holds a bachelor’s degree in business adminis- TUESDAY WEDNESDAY tration from Concordia Uni- versity and a master of legal studies in Indigenous peo- ples law from the University of Oklahoma. He’s taught at Georgetown University and Whitman College. He sit on the boards of the Ore- gon Cultural Trust and envi- ronmentally-oriented Gray Family Foundation. Sams climbed the ladder in tribal government after returning home in 2012, cul- minating in a second stint as interim executive director in late 2020. Despite the oppor- tunity, Sams told the board he did not want to be consid- ered as the permanent person in the position. Sams said he was already starting to think about other opportunities outside tribal government prior to his appointment to the North- west Power and Conserva- tion Council. Sams is the only enrolled tribal mem- ber on the power council and only the second Native American in the council’s 30-year-history. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merk- ley, an Oregon Democrat, also endorsed Sams’ nom- ination. Biden had not yet taken office in January when Brown wrote him suggesting Sams for the National Park Service position. “During your administra- tion, I envision students — both young and old, tribal and nontribal alike — vis- iting Yellowstone, Arches, Mesa Verde or Oregon’s Cra- ter Lake, and hearing the sto- ries of our past and present, including the important sto- ries of the tribal peoples who have inhabited these special places,” the governor wrote to the president. “Chuck is a consummate storyteller, and has the skillset and pas- sion to inspire the dedicated staff of the NPS to tell those stories, and to find new and innovative ways to make our parks accessible to all Amer- icans, while conserving and preserving those lands.” THURSDAY FRIDAY Donna Cooper-Searle Dallas, Oregon Nov. 24, 1944 — Aug. 5, 2021 It is with great sorrow Westerlund and Pam that we inform the com- Edwards, and two sons, munity of the passing of Chuck Smith, and Daniel Donna Coo- (Cheryl) Smith. per-Searle, Donna is also who passed succeeded by 11 away on Aug. grandchildren, 5, 2021, at the Ryan and Alex age of 76. (Dana) Fritsch, Michelle West- Donna was erlund, Rylie born on Nov. Edwards, Sammi 24, 1944, in Smith, Eli Smith, Pittsburgh, Abigail Smith, Pennsylva- nia, to Kenneth Donna Cooper- Rachel Smith, Searle and Kay Coo- Jonah Smith, per. The family Joshua Smith and then moved to California, Taylor Smith. Donna was preceded where she received her education, and she gradu- in death by her parents, ated from Lakewood High Kenneth and Kay Cooper, School. and her older brother, Ken After graduation, Cooper. Donna Cooper-Sear- Donna made a name for herself as a secretary, leav- le’s memorial service ing a lasting impact on var- will be held on Aug. 28 at ious companies and sev- 1 p.m. at the Lighthouse eral churches. She moved Christian Church, 88786 to Seaside in the early Dellmoor Loop Road, in 1970s, and lived there for Warrenton. The officiat- many years before marry- ing pastor will be Den- ing Bob Searle in 2011. nis Sawyer, and the recep- Despite already having tion will take place in the several children from pre- church, immediately fol- vious marriages, Donna lowing the service. embraced Bob’s family The graveside ser- like it was her own, and vice will be held on Aug. 28 at Ocean View Ceme- the two families united. Donna is succeeded tery at 4 p.m. The family by her husband, Bob welcomes all people who Searle; four children, two wish to pay their respects daughters, Ann (Doug) to Donna’s memory. OBITUARY POLICY The Astorian publishes paid obituaries. The obituary can include a small photo and, for veterans, a flag sym- bol at no charge. The deadline for all obituaries is 9 a.m. the business day prior. Obituaries may be edited for spelling, proper punctua- tion and style. Death notices and upcoming services will be published at no charge. Notices must be submitted by 9 a.m. the day of publication. Obituaries and notices may be submitted online at Dai- lyAstorian.com/forms/obits, by email at ewilson@dai- lyastorian.com, placed via the funeral home or in person at The Astorian office, 949 Exchange St. in Astoria. For more information, call 503-325-3211, ext. 257. REGIONAL FORECAST Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows. Seattle 68 55 66 52 67 51 Clouds breaking Mostly sunny Mostly sunny 68 52 69 54 68 54 Partly sunny Clouds and sun Partly sunny 68 55 Variable cloudiness Aberdeen Olympia 68/57 70/55 Wenatchee Tacoma Moses Lake 71/53 ALMANAC UNDER THE SKY TODAY'S TIDES Astoria through Thursday Tonight’s Sky: Waxing gibbous moon and Saturn are just 3.4 degrees apart. A must see! Astoria / Port Docks Temperatures High/low ................................ 62/57 Normal high/low .................. 69/54 Record high .................. 98 in 2016 Record low .................... 39 in 1973 Precipitation Thursday ................................. 0.04” Month to date ........................ 0.38” Normal month to date ......... 0.56” Year to date .......................... 37.87” Normal year to date ........... 38.56” Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2021 Time High (ft.) Time Low (ft.) 12:23 a.m. 8.4 7:35 a.m. -1.4 1:50 p.m. 7.0 7:28 p.m. 1.8 Cape Disappointment 1:33 p.m. none Source: Jim Todd, OMSI Hammond SUN AND MOON Sunrise today .................. 6:22 a.m. Sunset tonight ............... 8:14 p.m. Moonrise today ............. 8:26 p.m. Moonset today ............... 5:00 a.m. Full Last New 6.9 6:43 a.m. -1.5 6:37 p.m. 2.2 First 12:13 a.m. 8.7 7:01 a.m. -1.8 1:43 p.m. 7.2 7:01 p.m. 1.8 Warrenton 12:18 a.m. 8.8 7:19 a.m. -1.3 1:45 p.m. 7.4 7:12 p.m. 1.9 Knappa 1:00 a.m. 2:27 p.m. Depoe Bay Aug 22 Aug 29 Sep 6 Sep 13 8.6 8:36 a.m. -1.2 7.3 8:29 p.m. 1.5 12:46 p.m. 7.2 6:12 a.m. -1.6 none 6:08 p.m. 2.3 City Atlanta Boston Chicago Dallas Denver Honolulu Houston Los Angeles Miami New York City Phoenix San Francisco Wash., DC Sun. Hi/Lo/W 85/72/t 84/69/pc 86/68/t 95/77/s 85/61/pc 88/76/pc 96/76/s 76/65/pc 91/81/pc 82/72/t 100/79/s 69/57/pc 85/73/t 88/73/t 75/68/r 84/65/s 96/76/s 93/59/s 88/76/r 97/75/s 77/63/s 91/82/t 82/73/sh 104/80/s 69/55/s 89/73/c Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow fl urries, sn-snow, i-ice. 74/57 Hermiston The Dalles 79/60 Enterprise Pendleton 62/45 74/55 79/59 La Grande 70/50 77/55 NATIONAL CITIES Today Hi/Lo/W 66/52 Kennewick Walla Walla 73/57 Lewiston 79/58 70/56 Salem Pullman 76/52 Longview 68/55 Portland 75/59 64/53 Yakima 76/53 71/54 Astoria Spokane 73/57 Corvallis 75/52 Albany 76/53 John Day Eugene Bend 77/52 72/44 74/47 Ontario 79/52 Caldwell Burns 75/38 76/52 Medford 81/53 Klamath Falls 76/39 City Baker City Brookings Ilwaco Newberg Newport Today Hi/Lo/W 70/40/sh 67/51/s 65/56/pc 75/54/pc 63/52/pc Sun. Hi/Lo/W 81/41/s 68/52/s 65/57/s 74/45/s 63/47/pc City North Bend Roseburg Seaside Springfi eld Vancouver Today Hi/Lo/W 69/54/pc 78/53/pc 66/54/pc 78/51/pc 72/58/pc Sun. Hi/Lo/W 68/51/pc 82/51/s 67/52/s 79/48/s 73/49/s
