The United Nations
In recognition of Bill Richardson's leadership and diplomatic
experience, President Bill Clinton appointed Bill the United States
Ambassador to the United Nations.
Ambassador Richardson might have been surrounded by tradition and
formality -- but the cowboy boot-wearing New Mexican was always true to
his Western heritage. On his first day at the UN, Bill tried to shake
the hand of every single delegate -- an idea that baffled his colleagues
-- there were just too many of them! Bill was also a frequent visitor to
the U.N. cafeteria; he would eat lunch and get to know the UN's regular
employees -- many of whom spoke Spanish and who lived in New York and
New Jersey. It has always been Governor Richardson's style to reach out
to everyone around him and to try to hear every point of view -- he may
have the ears of Presidents and international leaders, but he always
listens to the men and women working in the kitchen too.
Bill Richardson has traveled to Africa multiple times on diplomatic
missions. As Ambassador he traveled to Zaire (now the Democratic
Republic of Congo) to try to ease that country's transition to Democracy.
He has secured the release of hostages from Sudan and just this January
negotiated a fragile cease-fire in Darfur. The trips to Africa have
changed Governor Richardson's life -- he has seen first-hand the
suffering that can exist in the world, and he has seen the hope that
persists in the most persecuted heart. Touring refugee camps, witnessing
the effects of famine, disease and unnecessary violence, has given Bill
a uniquely personal perspective on global conflict, and what the United
States can do to prevent needless suffering.
When the Governor was recently in Darfur, he kept being asked the same
questions: "Where is America? Why don't they do anything? " He didn't
have an answer.
The United States has moved away from diplomacy under the Bush
administration, but Bill Richardson believes that America must work with
the rest of the world to solve our common problems. He has seen the
impact of war, and it has reaffirmed his belief in the power of America
and the power of diplomacy to end suffering.
In recognition of his efforts around the world, Bill has been nominated
four times for the Nobel Peace Prize. Each nomination has focused on his
international peace mediation, hostage rescue and his commitment to
justice. One of the nominating letters put it best: "Bill Richardson has
shown his fight in the struggle of humanity by shining the beam of
reason into those corners of the world darkened by nuclear peril for far
too long, helping to ensure that we can live in a world where arms hold
us together -- they don't keep us apart."
This is the kind of leadership America needs.