By Maria Altman, St. Louis Public Radio / WILL / AP
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roland Burris gave his farewell speech earlier this morning on the floor of the Senate.
Burris was appointed by former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to fill the seat left vacant by President Barack Obama.
Burris has been viewed as something of an outcast in Washington, but he said that he is proud of his accomplishments.
He adds that his time in the U.S. Senate is a reminder of how far the country still has to go in achieving diversity in Washington.
"I am today the only black American member of this Senate," Burris said, "Aside from myself, madam president, I can count the number of blacks who have served in this body on the fingers of a single hand."
Burris also said that as the only current black senator, his constituency has "stretched far beyond the boundaries of Illinois."
"And at times, as I've tried to bring their voice to this chamber, I have accurately felt the absence of any other black person to represent them," Burris said.
His 25-minute speech included no direct reference to his appointment by then-Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Burris will be replaced by Republican Congressman Mark Kirk who narrowly won November's general and special election. Kirk will be sworn in after Thanksgiving.