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Funeral Held For Former NM Governor

Archbishop Michael Sheehan remembers former Gov. David Cargo as an advocate for the poor.

At a funeral Mass on Friday, Sheehan said Cargo fought for the underdog.

He said the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, at the request of Cargo, once donated land for the construction of a library in the tiny community of Anton Chico.

Former Congressman and Interior Secretary Manuel Lujan Jr. delivered the eulogy, saying Cargo opened the door for Republican candidates to win office by drawing votes in heavily Democratic and Hispanic areas of northern New Mexico.

Among those attending the funeral services in downtown Santa Fe were former U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, Congressman Steve Pearce and former Gov. Jerry Apodaca.

Cargo died last week at the age of 84. He was governor from 1967 through 1970.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.