Tearful Georgia Sen. Saxby Chambliss gives his farewell speech on Senate floor before retirement

U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga) delivered his farewell speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate Wednesday afteoon, thanking his family, his personal staff members and the congressional employees for their patience and work on the Capitol Hill.

Chambliss, naturally a man of few words who doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve, got quite emotional while delivering the speech that ended a 20-year political career in Washington.  First elected to the U.S. House of Representatives during a Republican sweep in 1994, Chambliss has served in the U.S. Senate since 2003.

"As my service in the United States Senate comes to an end, I rise today to say thank you to some of the wonderful people who have been a part of a great ride for over 20 years," Chambliss began. "We as Americans are fortunate to live in the greatest country in the world, a country where the American dreams is still alive and well, a country where in spite of all of our problems we're the envy of the free world, a country where a preacher's kid from rural Southe Georgia can rise to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and then to the United States Senate.  We as members of the United States Senate are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve. And we are blessed to be able to work in such a historic venue as we are in this afteoon. As we come into our offices and into this building every day, there are some things that we take for granted.

"So to the entire capitol hill workforce, from those who clean our offices to those who change the light bulbs, provide our food, maintain our subways, keep us secure, and all those in between, I say thank you."

Chambliss went on to thank all the staffers in the congressional buildings who keep up with the day to day Senate agenda and voting schedules.  As the senator wiped away his tears, he thanked his office staff, "mostly young people" whom he called the nation's "brightest minds," and his former chiefs of staff Rob Leebe, Krister Holladay, Charlie Harman, and Camila Knowles .  When Chambliss got to naming three staffers that have been with him since the beginning of his career, he choked up while looking up from the podium.

"I am particularly blessed to have three members of my staff who have been with me for all 20 years: my deputy chief Theresa Ervin, Debbie Cannon, and Bill Stanbridge have walked every mile with me and have been so valuable," said Chambliss in a slightly trembling voice.  "Thanks guys."

Furthermore, Chambliss thanked his family, especially wife Julianne with whom the senator will celebrate a 48th wedding anniversary on Dec. 28 of this year. The two met at the University of Georgia half a century ago. Chambliss, who just tued 71 years old in November, and his wife have two grown children and six grandchildren.

"For tolerating a husband who's had a 24/7 job for 20 years, for being a single mom part of that time, and understating why I could not get home until Christmas Eve some years, I say thank you, sweat heart," said Chambliss, again wiping his tears away.

"I am privileged today to represent almost 10 million Georgians who are the most wonderful people God ever put on this Earth," he said. "I lost my first primary election and went on to win each of my next seven races. I won every one of those seven races because I shared the values of my constituents, I outworked each of my opponents, and I had better ideas and best advisors and staff. Thanks Tom and Page. Thanks to Senators Nunn and Miller, for their regular advice and counsels , thanks to my three leaders Senator Lott, Senator Frist, and Senator McConnell. Each of them provided me with strong leadership and always listened to me, even when I had ideas that might have been different from their ideas.

"I'm often asked what I will miss most about the Senate and the answer is very easy: I will miss my friends, and the relationship that we have developed over the years.  Senator Isakson and I entered the University of Georgia 52 years ago in September, became friends immediately and we have been dearest of friends ever since. He is without question the most trusted friend and advisor I have, and I will miss our daily conversations.  My three best buddies from my House days, Speaker John Boehner, Congressman Tom Latham, and Senator Richard Burr along with Senator Tom Cobu have been legislative collaborators, dinner partners, golfing buddies, confidants, and numerous other things that should not be mentioned on the floor of the United States Senate. 

"Senator Lindsey Graham is like a member of my family, we have traveled the world together many times, leaing a lot. I have no plans to write a book but if I did Lindsey Graham anecdotes would fill a chapter.  Senator Feinstein has been a great chairman and partner of the intelligence committee. I will miss her leadership, her wisdom, her friendship, and those late afteoon glasses of Califoia wine. My most productive time in the Senate has been spent with my dear friend Senator Mark Warren. I worked with a Gang of Six, which included Senators Durbin, Conrad, Cobu, Crapo, and then later Senator Johanns and Bennet who represent the very best of everything about the United States Senate. We spent literally hundreds of hours together debating ideas and trying to solve major problems and we came very close. Senator Waer's insight, his wiliness to solve problems, his political inspiration are lessons that I will carry with me forever."

For Chambliss, it's the work with the Gang of Six that got him in most trouble with the conservative right. The Senate group worked on fiscal issues such as the debt ceiling and fiscal cliff, attempting to find a consensus between the two parties. This work across the aisle is what encouraged some conservative activists to start groundwork for a 2014 primary challenge against Chambliss. Shortly after the fiscal talks, on January 24, 2013, Chambliss announced that he would not seek a reelection. Clearly frustrated, the Senator cited the "lack of leadership from the White House" as well as the political climate in Congress as reasons for his retirement.

"The debt-ceiling debacle of 2011 and the recent fiscal-cliff vote showed Congress at its worst and, sadly, I don't see legislative gridlock and partisan posturing improving anytime soon," he said in a statement in 2013.  

The 2014 Republican primary included eight candidates and the Republican favorite Jack Kingston, who's served in U.S. House for over 20 years, lost the runoff election to a political newbie, businessman David Perdue.

In his Wednesday farewell address, Chambliss added that he'd like to see the Senate "retu to regular order" with 60 votes required to approve "all issues including judges and nominees." The senator also hopes the issue of debt will be resolved.

"It is not rocket science as to what must be done," he said about debt. "Cutting spending alone, i.e. sequestration, is not the solution. Raising taxes is not the solution. As Simpson-Bowles, Domenici-Rivlin, and Gang of Six agreed, it will take a combination of spending reduction, entitlement reform, and tax reform to stimulate more revenue. Hard and tough votes will have to be taken but that is why we get elected to the United States Senate. The world is waiting for America to lead on this issue and if we do, the U.S. economy will respond in a very robust way. The Gang of Six laid the foundation for this problem to be solved, and it is my hope we do not leave the solution for the next generation.

Chambliss also talked about the time he met with the members of the armed forces as well as the intelligence community, as his favorite moments as senator and what he enjoyed most about serving in Congress. He urged Americans across the country to join him in thanking the families of U.S. soldiers while celebrating the holidays.

"Let us also remember and be thankful for the families of those military and civilian personnel who likewise make a commitment to America," said Chambliss. "As we head into another Christmas season, many of those families will not have at home their spouse, their parent, their son or their daughter. May God bless them, may God bless this great institution, and may God continue to bless our great country. Mr. President, I yield the floor."

The senator received a standing applause after his speech. 

Chambliss is the vice chairman on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. His other appointments include:

Senate Armed Services Committee

Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities

Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support

Subcommittee on Personnel

Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry

Subcommittee on Commodities, Markets, Trade and Risk Management (Ranking Member)

Subcommittee on Jobs, Rural Economic Growth and Energy Innovation

Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry and Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Rules and Administration

Senate Special Committee on Aging

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe

Sen. Saxby Chambliss speech can be viewed here.