Georgia Sen. Johnny Isakson pays tribute to outgoing Sen. Saxby Chambliss

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-Ga) gave an emotional speech today on the floor of the Senate when he bid farewell to his personal friend and colleague, outgoing Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga).

The two Republican senators met decades ago as students at the University of Georgia. They've served in Congress together for over 20 years and together as senior and junior senators since 2005.

”I will have to admit to you this is a speech I never wanted to make," said Isakson. "I never wanted to make it because we've had a wonderful relationship in this body for the last 10 years. We've done everything together. He's had my back, I've had his back; he's a great friend and I'll miss him. But I'm not a selfish guy.

"He married one of the finest women I've ever known, Julianne, who is one of the best friends my wife has. I know he's leaving us and I'll miss the crutch I've used. She is getting her Saxby back and she and her family and those grandkids he loves so much. That's exactly what Saxby wants to do… Saxby will be the fourth on the Mount Rushmore of Georgia senators who served Georgia with distinction and with class."

Isakson went on to describe how the two friends were always there for each other in success as well as failure. The senator also mentioned Chambliss' last election in 2008, which he nearly lost to Democrat Jim Martin. Isakson put all of his political weight behind his friend as they campaigned together non-stop for 21 days. Chambliss won that election in a runoff by 15 points.

Chambliss, who's been in the Senate since 2003, after serving four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, was certain to be challenged during the 2014 election cycle in the Republican primary. Some conservatives in Georgia felt the senator was part of the Republican establishment that does not represent conservative values. In particular, Chambliss got a lot of bad press from the Republican pundits in the summer of 2012 when he worked with Democrats on a compromise to raise the debt ceiling. In January of 2013 Chambliss announced he will retire at the end of his term in 2014.

”He's a dear friend and I love him very much and I love his family very much," continued Isakson. "I could talk all day but I wanted to open up and close by saying, Saxby, I love you, the state's going to love having you back. The country will miss you but my grandchildren are safer, my state is better and our relationship has never been stronger. May God bless you and your family in every endeavor you take and may God bless the United States of America.

Chambliss was a high-ranking Republican on several important committees including the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Armed Services Committee. Georgia businessman David Perdue (R) will now be the junior senator while Isakson moves up to the Georgia senior senator position. Isakson already announced his bid for reelection in 2016.

Sen. Chambliss' farewell speech from Wednesday can be viewed here.