In her letter of resignation, she noted to President Bush, “It has been a singular honor to be entrusted with the responsibility to lead the EPA in its effort to leave America’s air cleaner, its water purer, and its land better protected than it was when this administration took office. Our work has been guided by the strong belief that environmental protection and economic prosperity can and must go hand-in-hand.”

She added, “As rewarding as the past two-and-a-half years have been for me professionally, it is time to return to my home and husband in New Jersey, which I love just as you do your home state of Texas. I leave knowing that we have made a positive difference and that we have set the agency on a course that will result in continued environmental improvement.”