Former New Mexico governor, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Secretary of Energy under President Bill Clinton, Bill Richardson, passed away at the age of 75. Richardson dedicated his life to public service, both during his time in government and in his subsequent career advocating for the release of hostages and individuals wrongfully detained abroad. Mickey Bergman, Vice President of the Richardson Center, expressed his condolences and described Richardson as a mentor and dear friend.
Richardson’s commitment to freeing unjustly held individuals earned him a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. His most recent success was securing the release of WNBA player Brittney Griner, who had been detained in Moscow for nearly ten months after authorities found hash oil in her luggage. Over the past three decades, Richardson traveled to various countries, including Bangladesh, North Korea, Sudan, Colombia, and Iraq, to negotiate and secure the release of Americans detained overseas. He ventured into dangerous territories, meeting with notorious dictators such as Saddam Hussein, Fidel Castro, and Kim Jong-il.
To support his work in facilitating dialogue and promoting global peace, Richardson established the Richardson Center, a nonprofit organization. He positioned himself as an alternative to traditional diplomatic channels, particularly for countries with strained relations. In his book, “How to Sweet-Talk a Shark: Strategies and Stories from a Master Negotiator,” Richardson emphasized the importance of respect, personal connection, humor, and saving face in negotiations.
Born in Pasadena, California, Richardson was raised in Mexico City by his Mexican mother and American banker father. He moved to New Mexico in 1978 and embraced his Hispanic roots by running for political office in the state. Richardson is credited with transforming New Mexico politics during his tenure as governor. Among his accomplishments were implementing a minimum $50,000 annual salary for qualified teachers, raising the state minimum wage, establishing pre-K programs, and creating a commuter rail system.
During his political career, Richardson made a bid for the presidency in 2008 but withdrew and endorsed Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton. Obama later nominated Richardson for secretary of commerce, but a grand jury investigation into an alleged pay-to-play scheme led Richardson to withdraw from consideration.
News of Richardson’s passing elicited praise from state politicians who recognized his significant contributions. Representative Gabe Vasquez referred to Richardson as a “titan in New Mexico and abroad,” highlighting his decades of service and proud representation of the state. Senator Ben Ray Luján described Richardson as a “giant in public service and government” and emphasized his unwavering dedication to New Mexico.
Bill Richardson’s passing marks the loss of a dedicated public servant and advocate for global peace. His legacy will be remembered for his tireless efforts to secure the freedom of those unjustly detained and his transformative impact on New Mexico politics.
Original Story at www.nbcnews.com – 2023-09-02 17:39:13
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