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United Nations

Clinton Names New Nominees for Energy and U.N. Posts

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

President Clinton today nominated Bill Richardson, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, to head the Department of Energy, replacing Federico Pena. Richardson, a 50-year-old former congressman from New Mexico, is the Clinton administration's highest-profile Hispanic and has expressed interest in returning to New Mexico politics. Clinton also nominated former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke to replace Richardson at the United Nations, tapping Holbrooke's decades of foreign-policy experience. Richardson's work as a congressman has given him a "tremendous amount of experience" with energy issues, according to White House deputy press secretary Barry Toiv.

Key Takeaways:

  • Bill Richardson, U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was nominated by President Clinton to head the Department of Energy, replacing Federico Pena.
  • Richardson, a 50-year-old former congressman from New Mexico, is the Clinton administration's highest-profile Hispanic and has expressed interest in returning to New Mexico politics.
  • Clinton nominated former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke to replace Richardson at the United Nations, tapping Holbrooke's decades of foreign-policy experience.
  • Holbrooke, 57, was the architect of the Dayton accords that brought a fragile peace to Bosnia and now serves as vice chairman of Credit Suisse First Boston, an investment bank.
  • Richardson's work as a congressman gave him a "tremendous amount of experience" with energy issues, according to White House deputy press secretary Barry Toiv.
  • Richardson and Holbrooke's nominations were announced at a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden and must be confirmed by the Senate.
  • Upon Pena's departure, Richardson would become the Clinton administration's highest-profile Hispanic, an important Democratic constituency.

Statistics:

  • Age of Bill Richardson: 50
  • Years represented New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District: 14
  • Age of Richard Holbrooke: 57
  • Years of foreign-policy experience: decades
  • Number of people the Dayton accords affected: fragile peace in Bosnia

Sources:

  • Clinton names former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke to take over U.N. post, Barbara Slavin, USA Today, July 1997.
  • Clinton Nominates Richardson as Energy Secretary, David E. Rosenbaum, The New York Times, July 1997.
  • Who Is Bill Richardson?, The Albuquerque Tribune.

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