CQ Transcripts
Wednesday, March 12, 2008; 11:57 AM
GOV. ELIOT SPITZER, D-N.Y.: In the past few days I have begun to atone for my private failings with my wife Silda, my children and my entire family. The remorse I feel will also be with me. Words cannot describe how grateful I am for the love and compassion they have shown me.
From those to whom much is given, much is expected. I have been given much: the love of my family, the faith and trust of the people of New York, and the chance to lead this state. I am deeply sorry that I did not live up to what was expected of me.
To every New Yorker, and to all those who believed in what I tried to stand for, I sincerely apologize.
I look at my time as governor with a sense of what might have been. But I also know that as a public servant, I and the remarkable people with whom I work have accomplished a great deal.
There is much more to be done, and I cannot allow my private failings to disrupt the people's work.
Over the course of my public life I have insisted -- I believe correctly -- that people, regardless of their position or power, take responsibility for their conduct. I can and will ask no less of myself.
For this reason, I am resigning from the office of governor. At Lieutenant Governor Paterson's request, the resignation will be effective Monday, March 17, a date that he believes will permit an orderly transition.
I go forward with the belief, as others have said, that as human beings our greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising every time that we fall.
As I leave public life, I will first do what I need to do to help and heal myself and my family. Then I will try once again, outside of politics, to serve the common good and to move toward the ideals and solutions which I believe can build a future of hope and opportunity for us and for our children.
I hope all of New York will join my prayers for my friend David Paterson as he embarks on his new mission. And I thank the public once again for their privilege of service.
Thank you very much.
END
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