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JUNE 6, 2001

5:30 PM EDT - After a busy day of Congressional testimony and other government business, Secretary of Interior Gale Norton suddenly fell ill this afternoon, forcing the cancellation of an interview with Indianz.Com due to laryngitis.

Norton could only speak in whispers and therefore was unable to conduct the interview, although she expressed her apologies. Concerned for her health, Interior aides whisked the former Colorado Attorney General home around 5:30 PM so that she might recuperate.

Normally, the Secretary stays working in her office till late hours of the evening.

Interior officials promised Norton would be well enough to participate in a taping of Native America Calling tomorrow afternoon. She will talk about fire safety and preparedness, with an emphasis on Indian Country fire crews.

There were conflicting reports from the Interior on the reason for Norton's sudden illness. Some suggested a light rain in Washington, DC, this afternoon caused the malady. Others said propane gas emissions to which the Secretary was exposed during a preview of the newly refurbished "clean air" Glacier National Park buses could have led to the temporary loss of speech.

Just hours before, Norton, in perfect voice, fielded questions about the President's national energy policy at a hearing before the House Resources Committee. Sometime after the conclusion of the one-hour plus affair, she began feeling ill, according to Interior spokespersons.

Relevant Links:
Department of Interior - http://www.doi.gov
Native America Calling - http://www.nativecalling.org

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