US Sen. Vitter bids farewell, says he was 'blessed' to serve

(AP) — U.S. Sen. David Vitter called his time in Congress "the greatest honor of my professional life," as he gave a farewell speech Monday ahead of the end to his 12-year Senate tenure and a 25-year career as an elected official.

The Republican incumbent from Metairie didn't run for a third term this fall, after losing the Louisiana governor's race last year in a blistering campaign.

Acknowledging he was "not generally big on nostalgic reminisces," the senator focused on what he considered his main achievements: recovery work, his push for limited government, anti-abortion legislation and passage of several water resources development bills, among others.