Jack Kingston: “I have had the privilege of serving in public office for 30 years, 22 of which have been in the United States Congress.…”

“I have had the privilege of serving in public office for 30 years, 22 of which have been in the United States Congress. I have met many wonderful people, cast some tough votes, and made some difficult decisions. It has been an honor, a challenge, a great responsibility, and I have enjoyed it immensely. For this I thank the Lord, my family, my extended family, staff, supporters, constituents, and friends. I am thankful tonight that some of them are in the gallery: my wife, Libby; son, Jim; daughter, Ann; son, John; Betsy and Trey. I also have some staffers who stayed up late to be here: Chris, Mary, Alexandra, Brianna, and Natalie. I thank them for hanging in here with me. Madam Speaker, in the words of the great philosopher Thomas Carlyle, who in his masterpiece ``Sartor Resartus'' said this: Sic vos non vobis. Thus we labor, but not for ourselves. That is what I have tried to do as a Member of Congress, and tried to make a difference doing it. I have often wondered what it would be like to cast my last vote. Today I have done that, and I wonder no longer. In a minute, I will walk off the floor for the last time as a Member of Congress. I look forward to the next chapter in my life and the great things that lie ahead for our beloved country. Once more, I thank God, my family, my staff, friends, and constituents. It truly has been an honor of a lifetime.…”