Senator Burris Says Farewell

http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/2...111810.article

There will be no blacks in the U.S. Senate when he leaves office at the end of the month, a fact outgoing Sen. Roland Burris (D-Ill.) called “unacceptable’’ and “troubling in his farewell speech Thursday.

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Sen. Roland Burris delivers his farewell speech on the floor of the Senate onThursday.
(AP/Senate Television)
Burris, the only African American in the Senate, will be replaced on Nov. 29 by Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), who won election earlier this month to a six-year term starting next year and also for the several weeks remaining of Barack Obama’s original Senate term.

In Burris’ remarks, delivered at noon to a nearly empty Senate chamber — there were four senators present and about 20 Burris staffers, plus Senate staff present — Burris did not mention the controversy surrounding his appointment by the impeached and now convicted Gov. Rod Blagojevich. And while he thanked Senate Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and senate staff down to the waiters, Burris made no mention of Illinois’ senior Senator, Dick Durbin. Durbin was not present for the speech.

Burris wore a red tie and red handkerchief for his last Senate speech after 22 months in office.

“Throughout 220 years of Senate history and 111 Congresses — only six black Americans have been able to serve,’’ Burris said. “This is troubling in its own right.’’

Of the six, three are from Illinois and all are Chicago Democrats: former Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, Obama and Burris.

“But when the 112th Congress is sworn in this coming January, there will not be a single black American who takes the oath of office in this chamber,’’ Burris said. “This is simply unacceptable. We can — and we must — do better.

Well... The people didn't elect a black person, hence there isn't one in there. But we did lose a vote so that sucks.

I sure loved Burris. He is a great man. And I do hope he lives a happy life for doing good things while he was in power.