Vermont lawmakers honor Sen. Leahy at Statehouse ceremony

Sen. Patrick Leahy bid farewell to Vermont lawmakers on Wednesday afternoon at an emotional ceremony on the Statehouse.

Leahy is stepping down after serving eight phrases within the U.S. Senate.

Extra from VPR: Sen. Leahy pronounces he will not search reelection subsequent fall

Members of the Vermont Home and Senate gave Leahy a number of standing ovations to acknowledge his work on a number of points through the years. That features human rights, nationwide safety, environmental insurance policies, and his world large effort to ban using land mines.

Leahy informed the group that he is been guided by one main precept throughout his profession.

“I consider Vermont as a spot the place you may develop your conscience. I feel… the U.S. Senate needs to be the conscience of the nation and typically is,” he mentioned. “And I have been keen to belief Vermonters.”

Gov. Phil Scott informed the gathering that Leahy has had an infinite impression on the state of Vermont.

“I am not one for going excessive, but it surely’s not an exaggeration to say that Vermont wouldn’t be wherever close to what we’re at the moment with out Sen. Leahy,” he mentioned. “Whereas he is bodily been in Washington, his coronary heart is at all times right here in Vermont.”

Scott additionally mentioned Leahy is basically accountable for Vermont receiving greater than $2 billion in federal COVID reduction funds over the previous two years.

Extra from VPR: Ask Bob: As candidates vie for a uncommon Vermont emptiness, when was the final time a Home and Senate seat had been each open?

On the finish of his remarks, Leahy informed the group that “this is without doubt one of the biggest thrills in my life.”

When he steps down in January, Leahy would be the third longest serving senator within the historical past of the U.S. Senate

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