[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 149 (Thursday, September 14, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H4328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          MOMENT OF SILENCE HONORING GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON

  (Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Congressional 
Hispanic Caucus and the many friends who hold him dear, we rise today 
to honor a beloved lifetime public servant, Governor Bill Richardson.
  I first want to acknowledge his wife, Barbara Richardson, a woman of 
incredible grace who is leading a State, a Nation, and a world in 
mourning the Governor today in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
  I thank Chairwoman Nanette Barragan for her leadership in organizing 
this moment of silence for our colleague, who like you, also served as 
chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
  I say Governor and chair, but Bill had many other titles during his 
illustrious career: U.S. Congressman, House Deputy Majority Whip, U.S. 
Ambassador to the United Nations, U.S. Secretary of Energy, candidate 
for President, hostage negotiator, and professor.
  We are all humbled by his achievements, and most importantly, by the 
people he helped along the way.
  Guided by an unflinching sense of duty, service, and justice, Bill 
opened the door for countless people throughout his career. He opened 
the door of opportunity for Americans seeking a better future. He 
unlocked the jail cells of political prisoners imprisoned by the most 
dangerous dictators. He never hesitated to seek dialogue with those he 
knew had the power to release the powerless, and he opened the doors of 
service, inspiring Latino leaders working tirelessly to improve their 
communities.
  I am honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with my Hispanic Caucus 
``hermanos y hermanas,'' ``brothers and sisters,'' and all of the 
colleagues who have joined us today. We are sharing with each other in 
these last 2 weeks and hearing from so many of our colleagues moving 
and also fun stories of those who now serve in the people's House, 
either as Members or as staff who have come up to me and told me the 
stories of how they are in America today and serving in this House 
because of Governor Richardson.
  Bill, we do not merely stand in this well of the people's House, as 
you did for over 14 years; we stand on your shoulders. We stand because 
giants like you blazed the trail for countless Latinos to serve their 
country in our Nation's highest offices.
  From 12 members, when you served as chair of the Congressional 
Hispanic Caucus, to 42 members today, including Representative 
Velazquez who served with you, the CHC traces our lineage back to you 
and others who ``caminando hicieron el camino,'' ``walking we make the 
road,'' who built the trail with each bold step you took forward.
  Whether it is a minimum-wage worker who earned a bit more because of 
your work, a hostage who saw the sun again, or a young leader inspired 
to serve, you created hope in many of the most overlooked places and 
overlooked people.
  Please join all of us as we bow our heads in a moment of silence 
honoring the legacy of former Congressman, Governor, Ambassador, and 
Secretary, Bill Richardson.
  Governor, ``que descansa en paz,'' ``may you rest in peace,'' and God 
bless you.

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