William Hughes: “I rise today to inform my colleagues that yesterday, I announced that I have decided not to seek reelection, and that I…”

“I rise today to inform my colleagues that yesterday, I announced that I have decided not to seek reelection, and that I intend to leave Congress at the end of this term. It was not an easy decision for me, because I love serving the people of south Jersey in this great institution. But, I will have completed 30 years of public service at the end of this session--10 years in the prosecutor's office in Cape May County, and 20 years in the Congress. What is particularly gratifying is that I have been granted the singular honor of serving the people of the Second Congressional District of New Jersey in the House longer than any person in the history of the district. That says a lot about the special relationship between us. Before I entered politics, I served with many outstanding men and women over the years on a hospital board, drug abuse council, service clubs, church groups, and other organizations, but I have never served with a finer group of people than we have in the Congress of the United States. The overwhelming majority of Members are decent, honest, God-fearing citizens who work hard to make their districts and their country a better place to live. It is sad that this institution is too often judged by the few who have another agenda. My 19 years in the Congress have been more productive and satisfying than I ever could have imagined. I have enjoyed working with my colleagues in the House.”