Departing members

With Barack Obama to be sworn into office in two months, much of the Washington chatter is about next year. But sometimes it’s good to look back before venturing forward.

There are 77 men and women who were members of the 110th Congress who won’t be back in 2009, and that number could grow with Cabinet appointments and as the winners of a few pending House and Senate races are officially determined.

Eight legislators died, others left Congress for K Street, and four House members gave up their seats to run — unsuccessfully, as it turns out — for statewide offices.

A few members are leaving amid ethics controversies, including Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho) and Reps. Rick Renzi (R-Ariz.), Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) and Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.).

Most of the departing class should hold their heads high, whether they retired or lost their reelection races. It’s a diverse group, ranging from Sen. Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), who was in the upper chamber for 36 years, to Rep. Don Cazayoux (D-La.), who encountered a May-to-November romance with voters: He was elected in May and defeated in November.

In his nine terms, Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-Minn.) fought hard for mental health legislation that this year became law. Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) worked with Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) to pass campaign finance reform in 2002. Rep. Michael McNulty (D-N.Y.) refused to fund the Iraq war last year, pointing out to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) that his brother died in Vietnam.

While some disagree with the merits of what these lawmakers did, their actions were taken with the best intentions.

Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) elevated the reputation of the Senate in his five terms.

Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) gave straight answers to questions, even when they didn’t reflect kindly on his party.

Reps. Tom Lantos (D-Calif.) and Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio), who died during the Congress, were widely admired by their colleagues on Capitol Hill.

Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.) showed his bipartisanship throughout his seven terms, as well as his deep intellect in getting more Republicans elected to the House.

There are many more who deserve praise and not enough space here to mention them all.

For some of the members who are packing up their things this week, the early part of 2009 will be difficult.

Retiring Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-Ohio) told The Hill’s Betsy Rothstein that leaving Congress is like getting a divorce: “It’s like leaving my whole life of 16 years. You know your whole world is going to change and you’re not sure what it’s going to look like.”

The 110th Congress is nearly over, and as it comes to a close, we salute the departing class for its service.