James Hill: “I am honored to rise today with my colleagues to lead the House of Representatives in reading President George…”

“I am honored to rise today with my colleagues to lead the House of Representatives in reading President George Washington's farewell address. Having just celebrated the 294th birthday of our indispensable first President, this is a fitting tribute as we celebrate the 250th year of our Nation's creation. The farewell address is a remarkable document. Published in the American Daily Advertiser on September 19, 1796, it was never delivered in person, but it was widely read and remains one of the most important documents in American history. President Washington completed his two terms as our indispensable first President. He was first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen. Every step of the way, he viewed his actions through the lens of the precedent it would set for the Presidency and for future Presidents: his dress, his decorum, his relationship with Congress, his decisions about his Cabinet, and his approach to executive decisionmaking. In this address, you will see clearly that he ended his extraordinary public career on a high note.”