Pages S2549-S2554]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
READING OF WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Under the previous order, the
Senator from Georgia, Mr. Chambliss, is recognized to read George
Washington's Farewell Address.
The Senator from Georgia.
Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I am honored today to read George
Washington's Farewell Address before the Senate. The tradition of
reading this historical document was begun in 1893 and has continued
each year with
[[Page S2550]]
the exception of 1895. I am humbled to sign my name to the list of
Senators who have been privileged to read the Farewell Address in
observance of Washington's birthday, especially those from my home
State of Georgia, Senators Augustus Bacon and Walter F. George.
George Washington, the first President of the United States, was a
legend in his own right by 1796, the year that the address was
published. Americans knew Washington as the ``Father of our Country.''
He was chosen to serve two Presidential terms, and could easily have
served a third term with tremendous support from his fellow countrymen.
Washington was a man of high moral character and integrity. He was a
farmer, a military general, and a strong political leader whose
leadership helped shape the foundation of our Government by balancing a
strong central authority with the union of States that held our
fledgling Nation together. Washington's leadership earned him the well-
deserved title, ``Father of our Country.'' After the President's death,
Congressman Henry Lee, speaking on behalf of the House of
Representatives, described him as ``the first in war, the first in
peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.''
Washington's Farewell Address was printed in newspapers across the
Nation to convey his decision of voluntary retirement. George
Washington's retirement after serving two terms may not sound odd to us
in this day and time, but we must remember that before Washington the
only known entity to rule this country was the English monarchy. With
Washington's voluntary retirement, a precedent was set regarding the
Office of the President. A statement was made about this announcement,
which was although the person who serves in the Office of the President
may be disposable, the Office of the President will always be
indispensable. This precedent was the fundamental difference between
the European monarchy and the Office of the President of the United
States of America.
Over time many historians have interpreted different meanings from
the address. Washington's Farewell Address was a communication to his
fellow countrymen, I believe, to advise the country on how to sustain
national unity and purpose with or without him as President. This
fundamental advice has stood the test of time, and will do so, I am
sure, for many generations to come. Interestingly, many of the maxims
set forth in the address are still applicable today.
Mr. CHAMBLISS, at the rostrum, read the Farewell Address, as follows:
The Farewell Address of President George Washington, September 19,
1796:
To the people of the United States... GEO. WASHINGTON.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair wishes to thank the Senator from
Georgia for his outstanding elocution in delivering George Washington's
Farewell Address. It was an outstanding presentation.
Mr. CHAMBLISS. I thank the Presiding Officer.
Senator Saxby Chambliss: “The messages in the address are as true and meaningful today as they were in 1796... America is a great and free nation because of leaders like Washington and his words are still inspiring.”
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