Last week, I had the honor of reading George Washington’s Farewell Address on the floor of the United States Senate.  Every year a member of the Senate is selected to read the address — a document which holds tremendous significance to American history. The origins of this practice (one of the Senate’s most steadfast traditions) date back over a hundred years to the darkest hours of the Civil War. In the winter of 1862, pursuant to a petition by Senator Andrew Jackson, the Secretary of the Senate read the Address to remind the country of our nation’s founding principles, a time when Americans stood together in the defense of freedom, equality, and justice for all.

The Address, originally penned by James Madison, the “Father of the Constitution,” has an interesting history. It was drafted at the end of Washington’s first term in 1792 as he was preparing to step down as Commander in Chief.  Madison, joined by Hamilton and Jefferson, called upon Washington’s patriotic sense of duty, warning of the unstable nature of our fledgling nation, to convince him to postpone his retirement and serve another term.  The speech was finally delivered by Washington in September of 1796 at the end of his second term.

The annual reading alternates between members of each party, and after delivering the Address, the selected Senator has an opportunity to enter his or her impressions in a leather-bound journal.  Among its signers are two of Maine’s greatest Senators, Ed Muskie and Margaret Chase Smith, as I am sure you can imagine, I was deeply humbled to follow in their footsteps.

I was particularly fascinated by how the journal allows us to understand the ways in which the meaning of Washington’s words has evolved over time.  In 1949, Margaret Chase Smith’s entry reflects concern over “foreign entanglements” (which Washington warned against) with United States’ entry into NATO. In 2002, Senator Jon Corzine meditated on the price of freedom in the aftermath of September 11.  But while the Address rings differently with each successive year, the fundamental message and the questions it raises echo across time.  Washington’s emphasis on national unity, the dangers of the concentration of powers in political parties, the importance of education, and his concern over the national debt are all issues that we grapple with today.  As Mark Twain famously stated, “history doesn’t always repeat itself, but it usually rhymes.”

The significance of Washington’s role in the founding of our country cannot be overstated. When he took office the United States was a still an idea, but through his leadership he turned that idea into a reality. I’ve often said that execution is just as important as vision, and Washington’s actions were essential to the success of this country because they implemented (they executed) the vision of the Constitution. 

Above all else, the Address is a reflection of Washington’s unwavering dedication to public service and the greater good. This commitment was best embodied by his decision to relinquish the presidency after two terms in office — a remarkably powerful move that later served as the premise for the 22nd Amendment limiting presidential terms.

The best example of Washington’s legacy, however, can be found in his parting sentence. He eloquently describes looking forward to retirement and “partaking in the midst of my fellow citizens the benign influence of good laws under a free government — the ever favorite object of my heart, and the happy reward, as I trust, of our mutual cares, labors, and dangers.” 

While I was tremendously honored to read Washington’s words, the experience served as a reminder of an even greater honor that we all share: our solemn duty to uphold his vision for the United States and to ensure its continuity for generations to come.