Senator Baddour Delivers Farewell Address

Thursday, March 29, 2012 - Today, Senator Baddour delivered his farewell speech in a Formal Session of the Massachusetts Senate.

Transcript of the Address (As Prepare)

Senator Steven A. Baddour
Farewell Remarks (As Prepared)
March 29, 2012

Thank you for being here this afternoon as I give my farewell address.

Thank you Senator Brewer and Senator Tarr for your kind words. Your friendship and the friendship of so many colleagues past and present is one of many wonderful things I will take with me as I leave this Chamber.

Madame President - it is extremely difficult to stand here today and talk about leaving this Body and a job that I have loved and enjoyed for ten years. The decision to join one of the world’s preeminent law firms-McDermott Will and Emery- was complex and one of the most difficult and important decisions of my life. But I know in my heart it is the right one.

Ten years ago, I stood in this Historic Chamber, a newly-elected Senator, and spoke about the values which I campaigned on and promised to uphold for the people of the First Essex District.

I made a promise to my constituents and my colleagues, democrat and republican, that we would work together to make government better for the people we represent.

I promised to make government more open and transparent, to support education, and to listen to the opinions of my constituents.

And I promised to never forget where I came from.

I never forgot the promise I made that when making decisions on important policy matters, I would always remember that I was a son of a working class family -- my dad a retired police sergeant and my mom a retired phlebotomist -- that I was a product...

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Important Message from Senator Baddour

Dear Friend -

I am writing to inform you that after much thought and careful consideration, I am resigning my seat in the Massachusetts Senate to accept a partnership position at the preeminent law firm, McDermott, Will & Emery.

Undoubtedly, this is one of the more complex and important decisions of my life.

While it is difficult to leave my position as your Senator, a job that I have loved and enjoyed for so many years, my new position will allow me to spend more time with my wife, Ann and daughters, Isabella and Victoria.

My decision to leave the State Senate affords me a rare opportunity to be part of one of the most respected and renowned law firms in the country.

Looking back over the past ten years, I am particularly proud of the contributions I have made in reforming our transportation system, improving public safety, keeping government spending in check, and making state government more transparent and accountable.  All of these accomplishments would not have been possible without your encouragement, friendship, and support.

Along with the honor of serving the public, I will miss the daily contact with local officials, community and civic leaders, business owners, and my colleagues in the House and Senate.  But most of all, I will miss working with citizens like you who have been my motivation for over ten years.

The privilege of representing you in the Senate has been a remarkable and challenging experience—one that I will always cherish.

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