Former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson dies at 75

Bill Richardson, who served as New Mexico's governor for two terms as well as a stint as the United States ambassador to the United Nations, passed away peacefully at the age of 75 on Saturday.

Mickey Bergman, vice president of the Richardson Center, issued a statement saying, "Governor Richardson passed away peacefully in his sleep last night. He lived his entire life in the service of others — including both his time in government and his subsequent career helping to free people held hostage or wrongfully detained abroad. There was no person that Governor Richardson would not speak with if it held the promise of returning a person to freedom."

Bergman finished his statement by saying, "The world has lost a champion for those held unjustly abroad and I have lost a mentor and a dear friend."

Richardson worked tirelessly to free people held as political prisoners or hostages in foreign countries, and his accomplishments cemented his name as one of America's great freedom fighters.

The Richardson Center for Global Engagement, which was founded in 2011, has worked with millions of families to help those who have been wrongfully detained or held hostage.

Richardson was repeatedly nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize thanks to his efforts, and he has helped countless people find freedom. Such selfless service can be admired by Americans of all political leanings.