[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H4310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                              {time}  1230
               IN MEMORY OF THE HONORABLE BILL RICHARDSON

  (Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, last week, the enchanted State of 
New Mexico, the United States, and families seeking justice everywhere 
lost a statesman, a former Ambassador, Governor, and Congressman. 
Governor Bill Richardson is survived by our former first lady of 
incredible grace, Mrs. Barbara Richardson.
  In 1983, Governor Richardson began his public service career as the 
first Representative of the newly formed Third Congressional District 
of Nuevo Mexico.
  My first visit to Congress was as a young attorney representing the 
Navajo Nation to Governor Richardson's office. I stand on the shoulders 
and am grateful for his sage advice on how to serve this beautiful 
district.
  As chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, he opposed cruel 
immigration policies and brought attention to Latino policy priorities 
everywhere. As Governor, he recognized the importance of education and 
economic diversity as he raised teachers' salaries and increased film 
production.
  May we honor Bill Richardson as a tenacious champion for New 
Mexicans, a skillful diplomat, and a committed public servant.

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