Governor Bill Richardson

Only the third ever hispanic governor in United States history and the only one currently serving, Governor Bill Richardson's life has been an uncommon life marked by uncommon service. Born to a Mexican-American mother and a white father, Bill Richardson was raised in his words in an "atypically bicultural home."

Raised for the better part of his childhood in Mexico City, Richardson's parents sent him to preparatory school in Massachusetts at 13 years old. There he played and became very skilled at baseball. Going on to attend Tufts University and playing baseball there as well. In 1970 he graduated with a degree in French and Political Science. Bill then attended Law School at Tufts University Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, during which time he married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Flavin, in 1972.

After losing his initial congressional bid in 1980, Richardson won election to the 3rd Congressional District of New Mexico in 1982. In congress, Bill Richardson forged his name as a man of deep knowledge and skill in the arenas of foreign relations and the environment. From his position on the Energy and Commerce committee he proposed an amendment to the Clean Air Act that mandated cleaner gasoline; a law that has made a significant contribution in the fight against pollution and global warming. While in congress he visited Nicaragua, Guatemala, Cuba, Peru, India, North Korea, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Sudan. In 1994, Bill was on a fact-finding mission in North Korea when he learned that the North Koreans shot down a U.S. Army helicopter that had strayed into their airspace. President Clinton asked Bill to remain in North Korea until he the soldiers were released, and he went right to work. After days of serious discussions and stonewalling by the North Koreans, we learned that pilot David Hilemon died when the helicopter went down, but that Bobby Hall, his co-pilot, was fine. Richardson refused to leave North Korea until he secured Hilemon's remains, and Bobby Hall was released a few weeks later. In 1996, he traveled to Iraq to negotiate with Saddam Hussein to secure the release of two American aerospace workers who had been captured by the Iraqis after accidentally crossing the Kuwaiti border. He was successful and the hostages were released.

In 1997, recognizing his clear skill in foreign affairs, President Clinton tapped Congressman Richardson to become the United States Ambassador to the United Nations. During his tenure as ambassador, Richardson focused his efforts on Africa and helping to end genocides and grave human injustices all over the continent ravaged by disease and violence. Richardson has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize five times with the fifth and most recent nomination coming in the fall of 2007.

In the summer of 1998, President Clinton again beckoned Bill Richardson and his selfless brand of service. This time as the United States Secretary of Energy. Then-Secretary Richardson fought hard for renewable energy, and convinced President Clinton to require that 7.5% of U.S. electricity be generated by renewable power by 2010. He also enacted tough energy efficiency standards that will save wasted energy and save millions of dollars on America's electric bills. Bill worked hard to secure our nuclear weapons, and those of other countries. At the Energy Department, Bill signed a series of nonproliferation agreements with Russia. One of these agreements was designed to spark economic growth and private sector research that would be open to out-of-work Russian nuclear scientists -- ensuring that they weren't forced into black market work with terrorist organizations or other countries. In a display of immense compassion and empathy Secretary Richardson was also able to convince the government to agree to pay for the medical expenses of our sick and dying nuclear workers.

Elected as Governor of New Mexico in 2002, Bill Richardson has established a solid record of accomplishment as Governor. Creating over 80,000 jobs, the lowest unemployment rate in 30 years, teacher pay and standards have risen, and the overall quality of the schools has gone up. Governor Richardson has balanced the budget for five years in a row and won acclaim by the Cato Institute as one of the most fiscally responsible governors in the United States.

In early 2007 Governor Richardson began his campaign for president. His campaign proved unsuccessful and he dropped out after the New Hampshire Primaries. On March 21, 2008, Governor Richardson endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States.

Congressman, Ambassador, Cabinet Member, and Governor. The son of a biracial family that defied the odds and became one of the strongest and most well respected leaders in the United States. It has been an uncommon life for an uncommon leader. Bill Richardson's lifetime of service and strength have left not only the citizens of New Mexico, but indeed, the citizens of the United States in his debt.