United States Ambassador to the United Nations
visits Independence

This afternoon, the Honorable Bill Richardson, United States Ambassador to the United Nations will visit the I-5 team. While aboard, Richardson is scheduled to speak to crewmembers for a few minutes in a live SITE-TV Admiral’s Call at 4 p.m.

President Clinton named Richardson the United States Ambassador to the United Nations in December 1996. He is a member of the President’s Cabinet and is also a member of the National Security Council. Richardson is the first Hispanic to serve in a foreign policy cabinet level position.

Richardson will be touring Independence while on board and is scheduled to meet with Sailors from New Mexico on the After Mess Decks in Indy’s Hard Rock Café. Prior to becoming the U.S. Representative to the U.N., Richardson served New Mexico’s 3rd Congressional District — one of the largest and most ethnically diverse in the country — and was elected eight times.

As a member of the United States Congress, Richardson held one of the highest-ranking posts in the House Democratic Leadership serving as Chief Deputy Whip. He was a member of the Resources Committee, the Commerce Committee, the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and also chaired the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. He also served as Vice-Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

Richardson received a B.A. (1970) from Tufts University and an M.A. (1971) from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. In addition, he has received a number of honorary degrees and has been presented with many honors and awards during his career.