On the recordJanuary 1, 2013
This is the last time I'll have the opportunity to address my colleagues as I wind up a 20-year career in the House of Representatives on January 3. I want to thank my constituents for giving me the honor and the opportunity to fulfill the dreams of a 10-year-old child who dreamed about becoming a Member of the House of Representatives. Twenty years ago, almost to the date when I was first sworn in, our family visited the Emancipation Proclamation at Archives. It's open again today. He was from my State. He served our State. In the incredible speech that he gave at Gettysburg, he talked about people coming here to do the unfinished work. That's the job of all of us as Members of Congress is to do the unfinished work as Lincoln saw it--the unfinished work not only to bind the wounds of the Nation but to keep America together. That's the charge that we have continually is to keep America together. God bless you and thank you for the opportunity to serve. ____________________
