Jackson Free Press

Describing Navy Secretary Ray Mabus as a "son of the Gulf," last week, President Barack Obama appointed Mabus, former governor of Mississippi, to oversee economic and environmental recovery for the Gulf Coast from the oil spill.

In addition to his duties as Navy Secretary, Mabus will take on the role of developing a long-term Gulf Coast restoration plan that will involve states, communities, environmentalists, fishermen and business owners affected by the spill.

Although Gov. Barbour has expressed his concern for the federal government making the long-term decisions for the Gulf Coast, other government officials, such as U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker and former Louisiana Gov. Buddy Roemer supported the appointment.

Some environmental groups, such as the Defenders of the Wildlife, spoke out against the appointment, saying that restoring the Coast should be a full-time commitment, according to the Associated Press.

Mabus is the 75th United States Secretary of the Navy, a job that makes Mabus the leader of the Navy and Marine Corps, overseeing 900,000 personnel and responsible for a budget of more than $150 billion.

The Ackerman, Miss., native attended college at the University of Mississippi before earning a master's degree in political science from Johns Hopkins in 1970. He then enlisted in the Navy towards the end of the Vietnam War. After his active time in the Navy, Mabus received a law degree from Harvard University Law School.

Mabus, 61, proved his leadership capabilities when he was elected Governor of Mississippi in 1988. As governor, Mabus' major platforms were education and job creation. In 1990 Fortune Magazine named him one of the top ten governors focused on education after he signed into law the Better Education for Success Tomorrow, one of the most thorough educational reform programs in America.

In 1994, the Clinton Administration appointed Mabus as ambassador for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Mabus is also the former chairman and CEO of Foamex International Inc., a large manufacturing company based in Pennsylvania that he reprieved from bankruptcy within his first nine months on the job.

Previous Commentsshow

Ray Mabus, you were 20 years before your time. I shudder to think the progress that MS could have made if you could have continued your Governorship for four more year. I'm so happy that President Oama recognized your talents and appointed you to over-see economic and environmental development on the Gulf Coast. President Bill Clinton also had an eye for business when he appointed you as ambassador to Saudi Arabia. Thanks for the eye you had on education in this State back when you were governor. Again, I know that a ship never reaches a sunrise sailing backward, but, I regret that your focus was not followed.

justjess

Jun 21 2010

So he appointed Ray Mabus to be the next Michael Brown.

DrumminD21311

Jun 21 2010

No DrumminD21311. He is appointing Ray Mabus to be "RAY MABUS". Ray comes with his own track record. "You doing a good job,Brownie." (George W. Bush) - NOT President Barac Obama,

justjess

Jun 21 2010

Obama will say "You're doing a good job Mabie," then it will continue to be a catastrophe, then Mabus will get blamed, then the Republicans will blame Obama for appointing Mabus, Feinberg, etc. That's my prediction, and I'm an excellent predictor. I even made a bet that no WMD's would be found in Iraq before the invasion, and guess who has two thumbs and came out on top of that one? This guy.

DrumminD21311

Jun 21 2010

Drummin- he appointed Mabus for political brownie points,nothing else. Shouldn't the Sec of the Navy be taking care of his full time job as the head the Navy?

BubbaT

Jun 21 2010

The oil is in the water. Sounds like a job for the Navy to me, if they weren't already busy dropping bombs on huts in the desert.

DrumminD21311

Jun 21 2010

I'm thinking it is becoming painfully obvious that President Obama will NEVER do anything right in some people's eyes. He's in a catch 22.

Queen601

Jun 22 2010

He can find a cure for cancer and the Republicans will be against it because they'll say that it'll put doctors and insurance companies out of business.

golden eagle

Jun 22 2010

He can find a cure for cancer and the Republicans will be against it because they'll say that it'll put doctors and insurance companies out of business. LOL. That's a good one.

Todd Stauffer

Jun 22 2010