Biden, Clinton Say Farewell to Senate Colleagues

Two Democratic senators said their official goodbyes to their colleagues on Thursday, delivering farewell speeches on the Senate floor as they prepare to move on to new roles next week in the  Obama administration.

Delaware Sen. Joseph Biden, elected to the Senate in 1972 when he was 29 years old, will be sworn in as the next vice president Tuesday, while New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, if confirmed by her fellow senators, will become secretary of state. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday overwhelmingly endorsed Clinton for the job, 16-1. The Senate is expected to vote for confirmation after Barack Obama is inaugurated.

Biden, holding true to the loquacious and off-the-cuff style for which he's known, told stories from his long tenure in the Senate and implored members to learn from one another and strive for greatness.

The often-emotional senator appeared to choke up several times during his speech, and family members in the gallery wiped tears from their eyes as he yielded the floor to a standing ovation.

Clinton told the assembled lawmakers that the extraordinary times present an extraordinary opportunity.

"I think this could be one of the golden eras of the history of the Senate," she said. "This could be a time when people will look back and say, you know, you never can count America out. Whenever the chips are down, we always rise to the occasion."

Members from both sides of the aisle paid their respects to the departing members, including former Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who entered the chamber at the conclusion of Clinton's remarks and waited in line for a brief hug and handshake with the outgoing senator.

Biden's resignation was to take effect at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday. His replacement, longtime adviser Ted Kaufman, will be sworn in on Friday. Clinton's replacement, meanwhile, has yet to be selected by New York Gov. David Paterson.