Video: Kaine Delivers Annual Reading of Washington’s Farewell Address on Senate Floor

VIDEO OF KAINE'S REMARKS IS AVAILABLE HERE.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) delivered the annual reading of President George Washington's 1796 Farewell Address. Washington's letter to "Friends and Citizens" formally marked his retirement and cleared the way for the peaceful transfer of power to the next President-one of the most important moments in American history. In the letter, Washington also called for national unity, warned against the rise of political factions, and called for the American people and their elected leaders to focus on civic virtue for the good of the nation.

"I rise today honored to continue an important Senate tradition," said Kaine. "Each year beginning in 1896, on a day near in time to George Washington's Birthday, a Senator - alternating between parties - stands on the floor of the Senate to read Washington's Farewell Address, presented 100 years earlier as our first President neared the end of his second term."

"During the 130 years of this tradition, seven Virginia Senators have preceded me in reading the address, which was written by the archetypal son of our Commonwealth, with the assistance of close confidantes Alexander Hamilton and another Virginia native son James Madison. Those Virginians who've read the Farewell Address on the Senate floor are: John Daniel, Claude Swanson, Carter Glass, John Warner (twice), Paul Trible, Chuck Robb, and George Allen," Kaine continued.

"It is particularly appropriate that this year's reading is delivered in the Senate chamber hours before President Trump is set to deliver his State of the Union Address in the House chamber," said Kaine. "Washington's words demonstrate a mixture of wisdom, patriotism, and selflessness that should serve as a model for all Presidents, and set the expectations of all Americans for how a President should approach the sacred trust of serving as America's chief executive."

The annual reading of Washington's letter began on February 22, 1862. Since 1896, the Senate has observed Washington's birthday yearly by selecting one of its members, alternating parties, to read the 7,641-word address in legislative session. Kaine is the first Virginia Senator to deliver the reading in 25 years. After the reading, Kaine inscribed his name and brief remarks in a black, leather-bound book maintained by the Secretary of the Senate. The book's first entry, dated February 22, 1900, bears the signature of Ohio Republican Joseph Foraker. Washington was born, lived most of his life, and died in Virginia.

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