Ben Cardin: “I come to the floor today to say good-bye, as difficult as this may be. Marylanders have trusted me to represent them…”

“I come to the floor today to say good-bye, as difficult as this may be. Marylanders have trusted me to represent them for 20 years in the Maryland General Assembly, 8 years as speaker of the house, 20 years in the House of Representatives, and 18 years in the U.S. Senate, including now chairing the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Let me start by thanking Marylanders for giving me your trust to represent you in this august body. You have supported me in 18 elections. The Hebrew letter for 18 is chai, which also means life--58 years of my life. My grandparents came to this country over 100 years ago to escape the pogroms of Europe, and they settled in Baltimore and built a life for their family. Their grandson now serves in the U.S. Senate. This is a great country. Marylanders have allowed me to pursue my ambition of public service, to help others whose voices and needs are often ignored in the halls of power. In my family, I was taught from a young age that it is our responsibility to make the world a better place--tikkun olam, repair the world--and help those who are less fortunate and are in need-- tzedakah, charity. These principles were demonstrated to me by the communal activities of my parents. These principles--these values--have been my North Star that has guided my public service as a legislator. Of course, the work of a legislator is not always easy.…”