Hundreds pay respects to former Gov. Bill Richardson at Capitol

{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "VideoObject", "name": "Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson lies in state at The Roundhouse", "description": "Watch as New Mexicans pay their respect Former Gov. Bill Richardson as he lies in state at The Roundhouse", "thumbnailUrl": "https://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/abqjournal.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/c/5e/c5e1d070-531a-11ee-8794-5f985cab8602/6503331e27fa4.preview.jpg", "uploadDate": "2023-09-13T16:56:00-06:00", "contentUrl": "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiTjrF5lpVo" }

SANTA FE — The casket was draped with the New Mexico flag, and officers from various law enforcement agencies stood guard while hundreds paid their respects to former Gov. Bill Richardson at the Capitol on Wednesday.

Richardson died Sept. 1 in his sleep at his home in Chatham, Massachusetts. He was 75. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe.

Richardson, who was lying in state Wednesday at the Capitol Rotunda, served more than a dozen years as a New Mexico congressman and was elected the state’s 30th governor, serving two terms from 2003-11.

He also held posts in President Bill Clinton’s administration as U.N. ambassador and secretary of energy. His powerful influence continued up to the end of his life as he worked to free American prisoners overseas.

A guest book at the entrance to the rotunda on Wednesday quickly filled with names and notes from his friends, family members and numerous people who worked for him. His employees and staff remembered him as a down-to-earth yet demanding boss.

“He’s going to leave a very impressive legacy of forming partnerships with tribes,” said Alvin Warren, who was in Richardson’s Cabinet as Indian Affairs secretary from 2008 to 2010.

That legacy, Warren said, includes signing into law more than 70 bills that benefited New Mexico Native American tribes. He said Richardson was also the first governor to create a Cabinet-level position for Indian Affairs.

“I think what was really transformative was he brought more Native people into his administration than had ever served in state government,” he said. “He really gave an opportunity for Native people to have a voice and a seat at the table that had not happened before.”

Chris and Georgia Brown remembered Richardson for showing up to their family’s home unannounced during his campaign and joining the family for dinner. Chris Brown worked on many of Richardson’s campaigns, beginning with his successful bid for Congress in 1982.

“He’d show up all of a sudden; it’d be a surprise. But he was always very relaxed. It was just like having a relative or your neighbor show up,” Georgia Brown said. “He was just very personable.”

Harold Bailey, the president of the Albuquerque chapter of the NAACP, paid his respects to Richardson on Wednesday. Bailey was the director of the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs under Richardson.

Bailey, like others who worked for Richardson, said he was a demanding boss but also laid-back and charismatic.

“He could be a tough boss. I think he really challenged those of us who worked for him,” Warren said. “But he also wanted us to be bold. He wanted us to be courageous. He liked big ideas. And that created an opportunity to do really impactful things.”

Bailey said Richardson would often have his staffers over to the governor’s mansion for cigars. Bailey said he valued the time, but always turned down a smoke.

“He didn’t carry himself like, ‘Hey, I’m the governor, give me respect,’” Bailey said. “But the way he carried himself demanded respect.”

Richardson was born Nov. 15, 1947, in Pasadena, California, and grew up at his family’s home in Mexico City. His Spanish fluency helped him ingratiate himself with Spanish-speaking New Mexicans during his early campaigns, Chris Brown said.

After lying in state for several hours on Wednesday, Richardson’s casket was taken outside for ceremonies, including a cannon salute.

While the Capitol Rotunda was filled throughout the day with lawmakers and people who worked for Richardson, there were also regular citizens.

David Serna of Cimarron never met Richardson. But he said his late mother, a Republican, considered Richardson a friend. Serna got choked up while talking about Richardson’s legacy in the state. A Vietnam veteran, Serna said he was proud of Richardson’s unofficial diplomatic missions to try to free American prisoners overseas.

“He was New Mexico’s governor. For everybody. Regardless of whether they were a Republican or Democrat,” Serna said. “He was a very diplomatic person.”

See Funeral Mass and Former Gov. Bill Richardson lying in State in the Rotunda

See hundreds pay respect to former Gov. Richardson at Capitol

Photos of Bill Richardson, world traveler, politician, New Mexico icon

5+ photos show BIll Richardson was a New Mexico sports fanatic