WASHINGTON – Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Maryland’s senior senator and Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said farewell to the Senate in a speech at the U.S. Capitol. He thanked Marylanders for trusting him for nearly six decades in elected office, and he encouraged them not to give up hope in the future of our nation. For his Senate colleagues, Cardin urged them to strive to be more civil to each other and to find a way to compromise and work together again.
“Let me start by thanking Marylanders for giving me your trust to represent you in this august body … Marylanders have allowed me to pursue my ambition of public service to help others whose voices and needs are often ignored in the halls of power.” Senator Cardin added: “My grandparents came to this country over 100 years ago to escape the pogroms of Europe and they settled in Baltimore and built a life for their family. Their grandson now serves in the United States Senate. This is a great country.”
To his colleagues, many of whom gathered on the Senate floor for the speech, he said, “… you play an important role in our democratic check and balance system. Never has it been more important for us to fight to protect our democracy, to defend the rule of law, and to stand up for our common values. As Senators, you need to demonstrate to the American public by your actions that you can practice civility, that differences can be resolved constructively without harsh terms.”
When the new Congress is sworn in on January 3, 2025, it will bring to a close 58 years of elected office for Cardin, who served in the Maryland House of Delegates (1967-1986), U.S. House of Representatives (1987-2006) and U.S. Senate (2007-present). Last May, Senator Cardin announced that he would not run for re-election.
Video of Senator Cardin’s Farewell Speech
Video of Senator Chris Van Hollen’s tribute
Video of Senator Cory Booker’s tribute
Video of Senator Susan Collin’s tribute
