Rahm Emanuel: Resignation From the House of Representatives

The CLERK. The Clerk is in receipt of a letter of resignation from the Honorable Rahm Emanuel from the State of Illinois.

Without objection, the letters relating to his resignation will be printed in the Record.

There was no objection.

                                               December 30, 2008.
    Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
    Speaker, House of Representatives,
    Washington, DC.
      Dear Speaker Pelosi: I am writing to inform you that I have 
    notified the Governor of Illinois of my resignation from the 
    U.S. House of Representatives effective January 2, 2009, at 
    the end of the 110th Congress. I do not intend to take the 
    office of Representative for the Fifth Congressional District 
    in the 111th Congress. A copy of that letter is attached.
      It has been a privilege to serve the constituents of 
    Illinois' 5th District for the last six years and to work 
    with you and our colleagues in Congress.
          Sincerely,
                                                    Rahm Emanuel,
    Member of Congress.
                                 ____

                                                 January 2, 2009.
    Hon. Rod Blagojevich,
    Govenor, State of Illinois,
    Statehouse, Springfield, IL.
      Dear Governor Blagojevich: I am writing to resign my 
    position as United States Representative from the Fifth 
    Congressional District of Illinois, effective January 2, 
    2009.
      It has been a tremendous privilege to serve the people of 
    the Fifth District over the past six years. I am grateful for 
    the opportunity to represent the hopes and dreams of a 
    quintessentially American district, from hardworking families 
    to new immigrants to the senior citizens who built this great 
    country. It has been my particular privilege to
    represent the district's many military troops and veterans, 
    who put their lives on the line to protect the values we 
    cherish. Their sense of duty and sacrifice has been an 
    inspiration, which I will carry with me to my new duties as 
    chief of staff to President-elect Barack Obama.
      As sons of immigrants to this country, you and I have a 
    deep appreciation for the opportunities America provides to 
    those who are willing to work hard and sacrifice for their 
    children. As a member of the next Administration in 
    Washington, I will strive to maintain and expand that 
    opportunity for all families, because the chance to work hard 
    and build a better life is the principle that unites all 
    Americans. Over the past few years, our government in 
    Washington has lost sight of that principle by catering to 
    the wealthiest Americans and powerful special interests--
    leaving middle-class Americans to struggle with rising health 
    care costs, reduced pensions and a collapsing economy. The 
    recent election was a clarion call for a change in direction, 
    so we can recapture the values that have made our nation a 
    beacon of hope and opportunity.
      As I go to work everyday in the incoming Obama 
    Administration, I will keep in mind the stories of the 
    working families and senior citizens who I met during the 
    past six years in grocery stores, schools and churches across 
    the Fifth District. I will strive to make our government work 
    for them and their children, because that is the true measure 
    of our success as a nation.
      With gratitude and best wishes,
          Sincerely,
                                                    Rahm Emanuel,
    Member of Congress.