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[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 6, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H2-H3]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

             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

[[Page H3]]

     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.

                          ____________________
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