Secretary of Energy to Address Colorado College Class of 1999

Bill Richardson, United States Secretary of Energy, will speak and receive an honorary degree during Colorado College's 1999 commencement ceremony.

Following his unanimous confirmation by the United States Senate, Richardson succeeded Federico Peña in August 1998. He is the highest ranking Hispanic in the Clinton administration.

While still in his first year of office, Richardson has negotiated and signed the Nuclear Cities Initiative agreement with Russia to bring commercial private sector businesses and jobs to Russia's 10 closed nuclear cities.

He has also proposed a National Clean-Up Initiative involving governors, tribal officials, local leaders and communities, and he is creating an Office of Consumer Information to improve communication between the energy department and the public.

Richardson served as the United States permanent representative to the United Nations in 1997-1998.

From 1982 to 1996, he was elected eight times to represent his native New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District. Richardson was nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize, and while in congress, he worked to free hostages and prisoners in Bangladesh, Cuba, Iraq, North Korea and Sudan.

He received his B.A. from Tufts University in 1970 and holds an advanced degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

According to Senior Class president Jeremy Jepson, Richardson was chosen because of his position with the United Nations, his recent work with nuclear energy, and his knowledge of the Southwest.

Past commencement speakers have included former president of the Sierra Club Adam Werbach, Doonesbury cartoonist Garry Trudeau, and former President of Costa Rica Oscar Arias Sánchez.

Colorado College's commencement is scheduled for
Monday, May 17
beginning at 8:30 a.m. on campus.

For more information call
Diana Smith
(719) 389-6138.

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