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Obama taps Richardson for Commerce

CHICAGO: U.S. President-elect Barack Obama selected New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson as his Commerce Secretary, naming a prominent Hispanic to his Cabinet and calling him a leading “economic diplomat for America” in troubled times.

At a Chicago news conference, Mr. Obama praised Mr. Richardson’s long resume. He served as UN Ambassador and Energy Secretary during the Clinton administration, and he is in his second term as New Mexico’s Governor. He also served seven terms in the House of Representatives.

“During his time in state government and Congress, and in two tours of duty in the Cabinet, Bill has seen, from just about every angle, what makes our economy work and what keeps it from working better,” said Mr. Obama.

Mr. Obama referred to news that the country has been in recession for a year and that manufacturing production is at a 26-year low. “With each passing day, the work our team has begun, developing plans to revive our economy, becomes more urgent,” he said.

He struck an optimistic tone, saying: “I am more confident than ever that we have everything we need to renew our economy. We’ve got the ingenuity, the technology, the skill and commitment, we just need to put it to work.”

Mr. Richardson pledged to work to renew the economy when he is confirmed by the Senate to take over the sprawling department that oversees weather forecasts, census and economic data, economic development programmes, patents and trademarks, telecommunications and technology policy and intellectual property laws. It also enforces trade agreements, with 38,000 workers and a $6.8-billion budget. — AP

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