Former NM Gov. Richardson To Talk Politics, 2012 Race

Buffalo, NY – Bill Richardson, former governor of New Mexico, will speak at Canisius University on Tuesday, September 20, 2011, at 7 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center. Richardson’s talk, entitled “A Look at Politics in America and the Race to 2012,” is sponsored by the William H. Fitzpatrick Chair of Political Science Lecture Series. The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. 

Richardson was first elected to office in 2002 and re-elected in 2006 with the support of 69 percent of voters, representing the largest margin of victory for any governor in state history. His bold governing style moved New Mexico forward in several important areas, including clean energy, commuter rail, education, tax cuts, public safety, spaceport, film industry, environment and healthcare. Richardson completed his second term as governor of New Mexico in December 2010. 

Prior to being elected governor, Richardson enjoyed a successful and fulfilling career in public service, academia and the private sector. Few can match his wide-ranging experience and his level of dedication to protecting the rights and improving the quality of life of people in New Mexico, the United States and around the world.

Richardson served for 15 years in northern New Mexico representing the 3rd Congressional District. While a congressman, Richardson served as a special envoy on many sensitive international missions. He successfully won the release of hostages, American servicemen and prisoners in North Korea, Iraq, Cuba and Sudan. Richardson has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize.

In 1997, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and in 1998, he was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy. In 2001, Richardson assumed the chairmanship of Freedom House, a private, non-partisan organization that promotes democracy worldwide. He also worked as a business consultant in Santa Fe and served on several boards including the Natural Resource Defense Council and United Way International. In 2008, Richardson sought the Democratic nomination for President of the United States. 

Since entering life as a private citizen, Richardson was named chairman of APCO Worldwide’s executive advisory service Global Political Strategies (GPS). In January 2011, he was named special envoy for the Organization of American States (OAS), adding another platform for initiatives within peace and reconciliation in the Western hemisphere. In addition, Richardson has joined several non-profit and for-profit boards, including Abengoa’s International Advisory Board, the fifth largest biofuels producer in the U.S. 

Richardson received a BA from Tufts University in 1970 and an MA from Tufts' Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1971.

For more information, contact the Canisius University Office of Public Relations at 716-888-2790.

Canisius University is one of 28 Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders – intelligent, caring, faithful individuals – able to pursue and promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.