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Verbatim

Virginia Sen. John W. Warner Dan Addison

“I have done my best.”

—Virginia Sen. John W. Warner (Law ’53) at the Rotunda, announcing his intention to retire from the U.S. Senate following the completion of his fifth term on Jan. 6, 2009.

In closing his remarks, in which he credited the University for laying “an essential part of [the] foundation” that led to a distinguished 30-year career in national politics, Warner quoted Thomas Jefferson. “‘There is a fullness of time when men should go, and not occupy too long the ground to which others have the right to advance.’ Together with my family, I have decided to follow this sage, fair wisdom and yield the right ‘to advance.’”