Stewart Lee Udall

Stewart Lee Udall (1920–2010) was a World War II veteran, Mormon missionary and lawyer who became an influential three-term congressman from Arizona. President John F. Kennedy tapped him to lead the Department of the Interior in 1961. Udall embarked on the passage of historic conservation legislation, including the Wilderness Act, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the National Trails System Act, the Endangered Species Preservation Act and the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. Udall advocated for the empowerment of American Indians and Alaska Natives. He also dramatically increased the National Park and Fish and Wildlife Refuge systems, particularly in the eastern United States. In recognition of Udall's lifelong commitment to civil rights, public service and environmental issues, the Department of the Interior's headquarters building was renamed the Stewart Lee Udall Interior Building in 2010.

Udall selected internationally-renowned Apache artist Allan Houser to paint his official portrait. Thirty-seven years earlier, Houser had been commissioned to create murals in the South Penthouse and Indian Craft Shop in the Department's headquarters building.