November 15, 2007
Hastert's Farewell: 'Goodbye, Friends'
Former Speaker Dennis Hastert addressed his colleagues as a fellow member for the last time this afternoon, ending two decades of service in the House.
"As members of Congress, we are not here just to vote but... to give voice on this floor to the aspirations of our constituents. So this place where we speak, the well of the House, is very special to me," Hastert said from behind the floor podium facing the chamber.
The 65-year-old former teacher recalled that he delivered his first-ever remarks as a freshman and as Speaker from behind that podium.
"I explained at the time I was breaking the tradition of Speaker by [not] making my acceptance remarks from the Speaker's chair because my legislative home is on the floor with you, and so is my heart. Well," he continued, "my heart is still here and always will be."
Hastert, whose record-length run as Republican House Speaker ended after the 2006 midterm elections, announced in August that his 11th term would be his last. But earlier this week, Hastert informed the leadership that he planned to cut his term short in order to return to the private sector. He did not specify in his farewell address when his last day would be, but according to The Swamp, Hastert will step down by the end of the month.
After a monthslong partisan logjam in Congress that has produced public approval ratings lower than President Bush's, Hastert's retirement speech provided a welcome respite from the pointed bickering that has characterized recent debates on children's health insurance and defense funding. The Illinois lawmaker drew on his experience working with both a Democratic and Republican president to gently admonish those he was leaving behind.
"As a former history teacher, I know such analysis is best tempered by time and reflection, and that is probably best left to others. But I will say this: I continue to worry about the breakdown of civility in our political discourse," Hastert said. "We each have a responsibility to be passionate about our beliefs, but we also have a responsibility to be civil, to be open-minded, and to be fair. To listen to one another, to work in good faith to find solutions to the challenges facing this nation."
Acknowledging that as Speaker he wished he'd been more successful in reaching across the aisle, he added, "That is why the American people sent us here. They did not send us here just to get re-elected."
Turning his attention to his successor, Hastert continued, "There's a tradition among Olympic wrestlers: that you leave your shoes on the mat after the last match." To laughter, the former high school wrestling coach quickly assured Speaker Nancy Pelosi he planned to keep his footwear on.
He continued: "I do hope that I have left a few footprints behind. May God bless each of you, may God bless the United States of America. Goodbye, friends."
Posted at 4:18 PM
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Congress, Dennis Hastert, House
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