Amidst rivals, Gov.Richardson who ran for President, dropped out and quickly supported Back Obama in the Primaries, thereby invoking the wrath of former President Bill Clinton,who caustically reminded him "wasn't two appointments enough?" as he tried to sway the Barack committed Governor to endorse Hillary Clinton. He has emerged as Barack's choice.
If confirmed by the Senate, he would take over a sprawling department that oversees the National Weather Service, the Census Bureau, economic development programs and more.
Talking optimistically despite the recession, Obama also said, "We have everything we need to renew our economy, we have the ingenuity and technology, the skill and commitment -- we just need to put it to work."
The president-elect called Richardson a leading "economic diplomat for America. During his time in state government and Congress, and in two tours of duty in the Cabinet, Bill has seen from just about every angle what makes our economy work and what keeps it from working better."
Richardson, 61, was United Nations ambassador and energy secretary during the Clinton administration, and he is in his second term as New Mexico's governor. He also served seven terms in the House of Representatives. As he leaves office, in his place will be Lt.Governor Diane Dinesh, who will then become the nation's FIRST FEMALE Governor!
He served as an advocate for the realization of universal human rights and fair and democratic governance worldwide. He worked to increase security by fighting international terrorism and the creation and proliferation of biological weapons. He fought to increase awareness of the status of women in places like Afghanistan and Africa.
While a congressman, Richardson served as a special envoy on many sensitive international missions. He successfully won the release of hostages, American servicemen, and prisoners in North Korea, Iraq, and Cuba. He also secured the release of an Albuquerque resident who was kept hostage in Sudan
He promoted economic development through both private and public means, and always stood for international fair labor standards. Richardson ensured that issues such as global warming, and public health crises were not overlooked.
In 1998, Richardson was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate as Secretary of Energy -- a department with deep roots in New Mexico. Upon nominating Richardson to the energy post, the president remarked, "If there's one word that comes to mind when I think of Bill Richardson, it really is energy." (A Clinton appointment)
Richardson won praise for his can-do, hands-on management style. He tackled tough problems - from gas prices to security lapses at nuclear weapons laboratories - and offered a host of new initiatives and achieved many successes, including several projects based here in New Mexico. He championed environmental responsibility, clean and renewable technologies, and oil and gas technologies that reduced our dependence on foreign resources.
Richardson was the first Energy Secretary to ask Congress to provide compensation for current and former Energy Department workers who had become ill as a result of their work at nuclear facilities.
Additionally, Richardson cut waste and created further accountability at the Department of Energy. He required projects be completed within budget, on time, and fought to end wasteful congressional pork at the agency. Two-thirds of his appointments went to women and minorities. Richardson made it a priority to create a better working environment by pushing for more childcare, fitness centers and regular meetings for DOE workers.
Bill Richardson has been married to his high school sweetheart, Barbara, for 35 years. Richardson received a BA from Tufts in 1970 and a MA from Tuft's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1971.
One of the country's most prominent Hispanic politicians, Richardson pledged -- in English and Spanish -- to work to renew the economy. New Mexico enjoys the nation's best employment record.
UPDATE***************************HAD TO RESIGN JANUARY 2009!!
Posted By: Marta Fernandez
Sunday, December 14th 2008 at 6:59PM
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