Melanie Stansbury: “As the people of New Mexico and the world are grieving Governor Richardson, I rise today here in the House, where he…”

“As the people of New Mexico and the world are grieving Governor Richardson, I rise today here in the House, where he served, to honor his life and legacy. Governor Richardson has left an indelible mark on New Mexico politics and public service. Throughout his career as a Governor, Member of Congress, U.N. Ambassador, Secretary of Energy, and working in international diplomacy, anyone who knew Governor Richardson knows that he lived big, he laughed big, and he loved big. He mentored a generation of leaders in New Mexico and served our great State and Nation to the very end. I personally met Governor Richardson as a young person when he was my Congressman and, like so many others, was catalyzed onto a path of public service on behalf of our State and our communities. Governor Richardson's loss will be felt deeply across our State and across the planet, and today, my prayers go to his family and to everyone in New Mexico who is remembering and grieving his loss and the loss of this giant in New Mexico politics. Rest in peace, Governor. Today, we honor your legacy here in your home in the U.S. House of Representatives. ____________________”