November 30, 2010 — Today, after 36 services of service to the people and state of Connecticut, Senator Chris Dodd delivered his farewell address on the floor of the United States Senate. Dodd, who will retire at the end of the year, thanked his colleagues, Senate staff, and, most importantly, the people of Connecticut for giving him the distinct honor of representing them in the U.S. Congress for over three decades.
In his remarks, Dodd spoke of the important role the Senate plays in our democracy and urged his colleagues to protect the Senate’s unique role in our national debate and find the shared goals and common purpose to advance the interests of our country.
“Over the past two centuries, some 1900 men and women have shared the privilege of serving in the Senate. Each of us has been granted a temporary, fleeting moment in which to indulge either our political ambition and ideological agenda, or, alternatively, to rise to the challenge and make a constructive mark on our history.
“My moment is now at an end, but to those whose moments are not yet over, and to those whose moments will soon begin, I wish you so much more than mere good fortune. I wish you wisdom. I wish you courage. And I wish for each of you that, one day, when you reflect on your moment, you will know that you have lived up to the tremendous honor and daunting responsibility of being a United States Senator.”
Below are links to a comprehensive timeline, a summary of Senator Dodd’s career in public service, and the Senator’s remarks as prepared for delivery.