The Camden Conference joins New Mexico and the nation in mourning the loss of Former Governor Bill Richardson. With a diverse career of public service – from representing the Third Congressional District of New Mexico from 1982 to 1996, serving as U.S. Ambassador to the UN and Secretary of Energy under President Clinton – Governor Richardson demonstrated an unwavering belief in America as a force for good in the world.

After decades of service in office, Richardson continued his work on the global stage, employing his experience as a diplomat and a personal negotiating style to secure the release of hostages, American service members, and detainees from countries including, North Korea, Sudan, Iraq, Iran and Cuba. The Richardson Centre hailed him as a “champion for those held unjustly abroad”. “He lived his entire life in the service of others – including both his time in government and his subsequent career helping to free people held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad,” the foundation said in a statement. “There was no person that Governor Richardson would not speak with if it held the promise of returning a person to freedom.”

We pay tribute to Governor Richardson’s lifetime of service to our country and to our Conference and send our thoughts and prayers to his wife Barbara and his entire family.