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San Diego, CA - U.S. Energy Secretary Bill Richardson will deliver the 1999 Commencement Address at the Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS) at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) on June 12. Richardson also will be honored with the IR/PS Medal of Recognition for distinguished public service in international affairs. This medal, the highest honor awarded by IR/PS, will be given for the first time at this year's Commencement.

"We are extremely pleased that we were able to attract a person of Bill Richardson's stature to address our graduates, their families and our key supporters," said IR/PS Dean C. Peter Timmer. "Secretary Richardson's distinguished career has transgressed many international boundaries - from his current handling of allegations of Chinese espionage at our national laboratories, to his U.N. responsibilities, to his Congressional support for a vital trade agreement between the United States, Mexico and Canada. His accomplishments are exemplary, and those of us committed to carving niches in global arenas - most particularly our graduates - will benefit greatly from the sharing of his experiences, insights and wisdom."

Richardson's 1 p.m. address on Saturday, June 12, will be delivered in the IR/PS Robinson Building Plaza at UCSD.

Richardson's extensive experience in international affairs was the impetus for his being asked to deliver the commencement address at IR/PS, the only U.S. graduate school that focuses exclusively on the Pacific Rim. And his distinguished career led to his being honored with the prestigious IR/PS Medal of Recognition, Timmer added.

Since taking over the helm of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in August '98, Richardson has tackled a number of critical national and international issues, including instituting a sweeping reform of security programs through the DOE and tough new counterintelligence measures at the national laboratories; and the signing of a series of nonproliferation agreements with Russia.

As U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Richardson addressed numerous difficult international negotiating challenges and crises, including Iraq, unpaid U.S. dues, Zaire and Afghanistan. In the Congress, he was elected eight times to represent New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District, one of the most ethnically diverse in the country. In addition to his leadership role in Congress as Chief Deputy Democratic Whip, he was a longtime and active member of the House Commerce, Resources and Intelligence Committees.

Richardson has served as President Clinton's special envoy on many sensitive missions and has been nominated twice for the Nobel Peace Prize. As a diplomatic "trouble-shooter," he has negotiated the release of hostages, American servicemen and prisoners in North Korea, Iraq, Cuba and Sudan.

An energetic advocate of NAFTA, Richardson was often used as a White House "back channel" to former President Salinas de Gortari, Mexico's president at the time of the negotiations, The New York Times reported. In recognition of this work, he was awarded the Aztec Eagle, Mexico's Highest Honor for a foreigner. Richardson is currently the highest ranking Hispanic in the Clinton administration.

Richardson received a B.A. in political science and French from Tufts University and a master's degree in international affairs from Tufts' Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He currently resides in Washington, D.C., with his wife, Barbara.

Established in 1986, UCSD's Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS) is the University of California's only professional school of international affairs. More information on the graduate school can be found on its web site at: http://www-irps.ucsd.edu.