Michigan’s U.S. Senator Gary Peters delivered the annual reading of President George Washington’s Farewell Address on the Senate floor Feb. 26 in honor of the first president’s birthday.
To this day, Washington’s Farewell Address is considered be one of the most important documents in American history and the foundation of the Federalist party’s political doctrine. In 1862, during the American Civil War, thousands of Philadelphia residents signed a petition requesting that Congress commemorate the 130th anniversary of Washington’s birth by reading his Farewell Address in either the House of Representatives or Senate. It was first read in a joint meeting of the House and Senate on February 1862. Both the House and the Senate read the Farewell address until 1984 when the House abandoned the practice. Since 1896, senators of alternating parties have delivered the 7,641-word speech.
“President Washington’s Farewell Address offers a powerful message about the strength derived when our nation comes together as one — a message that is as relevant today as it was when it was written in 1796,” Peters said. “Washington’s words provide a valuable perspective at a time when our partisan politics are deeply divisive and increasingly marked by vitriol. I’m honored to take part in this tradition that returns to our country’s roots, inspires all Americans to strive for unity, and guides elected officials to seek out bipartisan compromises that help our national move forward together,” Peters said.
Peters is the third senator from Michigan to deliver the Address. Michigan’s U.S. Senators Julius C. Burrows (1895-1911) and Arthur Vandenberg (1928-1951) delivered it in 1902 and 1930, respectively. Peters’ family also has a personal connection to Washington. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, and his forefather, William Garrett, served in the Virginia militia alongside General Washington at Valley Forge during the harsh winter of 1777-1778.
After the reading, the selected senator signs their name and writes a personal note in a book kept by the Secretary of the Senate.
