Governor Richardson to Discuss Spaceport with Top NASA Official, Congressional Leader

Governor Will Also Meet with Mexican Ambassador about Border Violence

April 1, 2008 SANTA FE – Governor Bill Richardson will travel today to Washington, D.C. to meet with a top NASA official to discuss the planned Spaceport American being built in Southern New Mexico.

The Governor will meet Wednesday with NASA Administrator Michael Griffin at NASA Headquarters. Steve Landeene, Executive Director of Spaceport America will accompany the Governor. Governor Richardson will also meet with Congressman Bart Gordon, chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology, to discuss the Spaceport.

While in Washington, Governor Richardson will also meet with Mexican Ambassador to the United States Arturo Sarukhan to discuss the increased violence along New Mexico’s border with Mexico.

Governor Richardson and Ambassador Sarukhan have worked together to address the Governor’s concerns about security along the border following an intense battle between drug cartels that has resulted in hundreds of deaths. The Governor will discuss the potential for long-term solutions to the violence during his meeting with Ambassador Sarukhan.

Governor Richardson is also delivering a speech today on immigration and hemispheric affairs to the Organization of American States. The OAS in 2006 named Governor Richardson as its Special Envoy for Western Hemispheric Affairs.

Governor Richardson will return to New Mexico late Wednesday.