USIA - Biodata of Bill Richardson, U.S. Ambassador to U.N.-Designate, 96-12-13

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BIODATA OF BILL RICHARDSON, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N.-DESIGNATE

(One of the most "prolific legislators in the House") (670)

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Elected in 1982 to represent New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District -- one of the largest in square miles and most ethnically diverse in the country. This tri-culture district has large Hispanic, Native American, and Anglo populations. It includes Santa Fe, Taos, a large portion of the Navajo Reservation, the Los Alamos National Laboratories, and Cannon Air Force Base.

He has been reelected by large margins, with an average of 70% in last six elections. He is known as a grass roots Representative and has held more than 2,300 town meetings.

Serves as Ranking Democratic Member of the Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Lands. In addition to the Resources Committee, he serves on the Commerce Committee, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Helsinki Commission on Human Rights.

He has been one of the leading advocates in Congress for expanded trade throughout the Americas (including the North American Free Trade Agreement). He has been a leader for environmental causes including work on Clean Air and Clean Water legislation and laws which protect areas from oil spills. He has also supported expansion of national parks and designation of wild and scenic rivers. He has been a longtime supporter of constitutional amendment to balance federal budget and voted for the line item veto.

He serves as a special envoy to President Clinton on sensitive diplomatic missions. He has negotiated the release of Americans and others from captivity: met with Iraq President Saddam Hussein (July '95) and negotiated the release of two imprisoned Americans; negotiated the release of two U.S. pilots captured by the North Koreans (December '94); met with Cuba President Fidel Castro (February '96 and January '96) and negotiated the release of three political prisoners, secured visas for their families, and negotiated a 50% reduction in visa fee for up to 1,000 Cubans per year. He freed an American woman from Bangladesh prison (July '96). He held five hour meeting with Haitian leader General Cedras (July '94) which laid the groundwork for a peaceful restoration of President Aristide. He held an historic meeting (February '94) with Burmese political dissident Aung San Suu Kyi (only non-family member allowed to visit her in her six years of house arrest) who has since been released. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize (1995). He received the Aztec Eagle Award from Mexican government (highest honor bestowed on a foreigner). He has chaired U.S. observer teams to elections in Guatemala, Nicaragua, and East Germany.

He has been a longtime proponent of Native American sovereignty. As Chair of Native American Affairs Subcommittee during 103rd Congress, he wrote dozens of bills and passed nearly 40 bills (half enacted into law) improving all aspects of Indian life including health care reform, judicial changes, environmental protection rights and trust fund management improvements.

He has been Vice Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. He chaired the Drafting Committee at the Democratic National Committee's 1992 convention and was considered as vice-presidential nominee as reported by the Washington Post (July 5, 1992).

A former chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, he was the founder of Adelante con Clinton in the 1992 presidential campaign.

Personal

Lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with wife, Barbara. Graduated from Tufts University with a B.A. and Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy with an M.A.

Three-time MVP (most valuable player) in annual Congressional baseball game pitting Democrats against Republicans. Drafted by major league baseball teams as high school pitching prospect.

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