Meehan makes resignation official, will leave July 1

Rep. Marty Meehan (D-Mass.) made his resignation official Wednesday, informing House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that he would leave Congress on July 1 to become chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Meehan called his time in Congress “one of the greatest honors” of his life and said in the letter to Pelosi that he made the decision only “after deep personal reflection and lengthy discussions with my family, close friends and colleagues.”

{mosads}The lawmaker also thanked the people of his district “for this wonderful opportunity and for their confidence in me.”

In a letter last month to constituents, Meehan said the decision “was the most difficult personal and professional decision in [his] life” but that it was “the right decision.”

“Public service has always been about working to give future generations better opportunities than I had,” the lawmaker, who is currently in his eight term, said. “And I believe that the best way to contribute to our shared future is by helping to lead one of our great universities.”