Bill Richardson Biographical Notes

Democracy in Action: What is your first political memory, going way back?

Governor Bill Richardson: I remember the huge press coverage that John F. Kennedy got when he came to Mexico City and he went before the Virgin of Guadalupe and knelt despite his bad back and from that moment on he captured all of Mexico by just that gesture, paying tribute to the Mexican matriarch, the Virgin of Guadalupe, going to a church, a very bold, noble gesture. And I was about 12 or so. So I remember that; that had a real impact on me. And Kennedy is my political hero.

--ema 03/20/06 after speech to IAFF in Washington, DC