Carol Browner
Incoming EPA administrator
Age at the time: 37

Originally published Jan. 13, 2001

It was a generational shift. It was about looking to the future, the optimism about the future. The economy was not yet turned around, so there were concerns, but I think that the vast majority of people, most of us, had completed our confirmation hearings, and so we were looking forward to getting to work. Which we did the very next day. That's the amazing thing.

Clean air, toxic waste, pesticides, those were the three big issues coming through the door (at the EPA). All three of them had been sorely lacking in attention. In fact, I didn't see this, but other people here said this huge banner was hung out (at EPA headquarters) on Inauguration Day, that said "Free at Last." It was a huge change for an agency that had not been treated well in the prior Administration. The dark cloud was lifting.

We were the first of the baby boomer generation. There was this huge amount of energy with all these relative youths, compared with other Administrations.

We were in the box with the President (during the parade) and there were a number of young children. We all had young kids. I mean, my kids were 5. All these little kids were running around.

I think it was that sense of family, and so many people had chosen to do this despite all the difficulties, some of which we could predict and some of which we were unable to predict. That sense of being a part of making a difference and engaging in the true form of public service.

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