Current:Home > NewsBill Richardson is mourned in New Mexico after globe-trotting career, lies in state at Capitol-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Bill Richardson is mourned in New Mexico after globe-trotting career, lies in state at Capitol
View Date:2024-12-23 22:01:19
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Friends and admirers of former Gov. Bill Richardson are mourning the hard-charging politician whose career spanned the globe, from mountain villages of northern New Mexico as a youthful congressman, to the United Nations and a litany of countries on unofficial diplomatic missions that often helped free imprisoned Americans.
Richardson’s casket was scheduled to lie in state Wednesday in the rotunda of the New Mexico Statehouse astride a giant inlay of the New Mexico state seal and an ancient Zia Pueblo symbol of the sun.
Richardson died in his sleep at his home in Chatham, Massachusetts, earlier this month at age 75.
Final memorials and funeral services were scheduled in Santa Fe, the state capital city where Richardson served two terms as governor starting in 2003 and is still remembered for innate political skills, ambition and an ability to both clash and reconcile with rivals.
“He admired legislators who showed spunk and integrity and didn’t give in to his ‘my way or the highway,’” tactics, said state Rep. Miguel Trujillo of Albuquerque, who led a House committee on labor during Richardson’s tenure as state governor.
Former state House speaker Brian Egolf of Santa Fe witnessed Richardson’s evolution from congressman to U.S. diplomat, Cabinet secretary and then state governor. He said Richardson mentored younger people at every step.
“He was also a hard-charging person,” Egolf said of Richardson. “If he disagreed with somebody who was his friend, he wouldn’t back down, he would mix it up. ... But he always came back around and said, ‘It’s over. ... He’d shake your hand and move forward.”
William Blaine Richardson was born in Pasadena, California, but grew up in Mexico City with a Mexican mother and an American father who was a U.S. bank executive. He attended prep school in Massachusetts, earned degrees in international studies from Tufts University and worded as a Capital Hill staffer before moving to New Mexico in 1978.
The state’s Hispanic heritage was a good fit as Richardson campaigned for Congress and won his second bid in 1982 for a newly created district spanning northern New Mexico.
He resigned from Congress in 1997 to join President Bill Clinton’s administration as U.N. ambassador and became secretary of energy in 1998. Richardson later sought the 2008 Democratic nomination for president but dropped out after lackluster finishes in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary.
In an interview with The Associated Press in August, Richardson said he was proud of the work he had done to free dozens of people over the years and of his advocacy for the Navajo Nation.
Funeral services were scheduled for Thursday at Santa Fe’s downtown Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- King Charles III celebrates 76th birthday amid cancer battle, opens food hubs
- Bowl game schedule today: Everything to know about the six college bowl games on Dec. 16
- Leon Edwards retains welterweight belt with unanimous decision over Colby Covington at UFC 296
- Juwan Howard cleared to return as Michigan's head basketball coach, AD announces
- Ben Affleck and His Son Samuel, 12, Enjoy a Rare Night Out Together
- Author receives German prize in scaled-down format after comparing Gaza to Nazi-era ghettos
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar breaks hip when he falls at concert in Los Angeles
- Mississippi State QB Will Rogers transfers to Washington after dominant run in SEC
- Tua Tagovailoa tackle: Dolphins QB laughs off taking knee to head vs. Rams on 'MNF'
- Tiger Woods' 16-Year-Old Daughter Sam Serves as His Caddie at PNC Championship
Ranking
- Caitlin Clark shanks tee shot, nearly hits fans at LPGA's The Annika pro-am
- Documents from binder with intelligence on Russian election interference went missing at end of Trump's term
- Fast fashion feud: Temu accuses rival Shein for 'mafia-style intimidation' in lawsuit
- Georgia middle school teacher accused of threatening to behead Muslim student
- Miami Marlins hiring Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Clayton McCullough as manager
- Loyer, Smith lead No. 3 Purdue past No. 1 Arizona 92-84 in NCAA showdown
- 27 Practical Gifts From Amazon That People Will Actually Want To Receive for the Holidays
- Zara pulls ad campaign that critics said resembled Gaza destruction
Recommendation
-
Prayers and cheeseburgers? Chiefs have unlikely fuel for inexplicable run
-
It's time to say goodbye: 10 exit strategies for your Elf on the Shelf
-
In Hamas captivity, an Israeli mother found the strength to survive in her 2 young daughters
-
Terror suspects arrested in Europe, including several linked to Hamas who were allegedly plotting against Jews
-
Brianna LaPaglia Reacts to Rumors Dave Portnoy Paid Her $10 Million for a Zach Bryan Tell-All
-
A rare Italian vase bought at Goodwill for $3.99 was just sold for over $100,000
-
Convent-made delicacies, a Christmas favorite, help monks and nuns win fans and pay the bills
-
A rare Italian vase bought at Goodwill for $3.99 was just sold for over $100,000