Homepage

Central New York’s John Katko Bids Congress Farewell Four-term Congressman John Katko Bids Central New York a Farewell

By Marie Achkar

Katko talks in front of an audience about his career.
© 2022 Marie Achkar

Marie Achkar: Four-term Congressman John Katko gave his farewell address at Syracuse University’s National Veterans Resource Center. Katko was first elected to represent the 24th Congressional District in 2014. Now, he is entering his final month representing Central New York.

John Katko: It’s kind of strange to think that this is one of the last times I’ll be speaking publicly after 32 years in federal service. And that’s strange, but it’s also good.

Achkar: Director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute Grant Reeher joined Katko in a discussion on stage after the speech. Together, they reviewed Katko’s time in office and his accomplishments. Katko talked about how much his team meant to him.

Katko: When you have a great staff like I had, no issue in the end was that hard for me to do because by the time we got to the point to vote, my staff and I already worked through all the issues

Achkar: Katko, a Republican, recognized that not everyone shares his views.

Katko: People like different bands. People like different restaurants. You can have different political views. It’s okay. And people in this country have got to get back to understanding that that’s okay.

Achkar: With his term coming to an end, Katko said that he was privileged to serve in Congress.

Katko: And that’s such a high honor, it’s hard to describe. And I’ll miss that more than anything for sure.

Achkar: Katko intends to spend more time with his family once he retires. He says that he is at peace with everything he accomplished.

Marie Achkar, NCC News.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — U.S. Rep. John Katko, who is leaving office after four terms in Congress, reviewed his accomplishments and offered some political advice at his farewell address Monday night at Syracuse University.
“I’m pretty much at peace with what we’ve done and what we’ve accomplished,” Katko said at the university’s National Veterans Resource Center. “I can’t say it enough how good my staff was.”

Katko, a Republican, is entering his last month representing Central New York. He was first elected to the 24th Congressional District in 2014. Earlier this year, he announced that he would retire after his fourth term ended.

During his time in Congress, Katko voted to defund Planned Parenthood, was one of three House Republicans that voted for an LGBTQ rights bill, and voted for a bill that would protect marriage equality.

After the speech, Katko was joined onstage by Grant Reeher, SU Political Science Professor and the Director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute. Together, they reviewed Katko’s time in office.

“There come times where you gotta do what you think is right,” Katko said. “And sometimes it’s very, very difficult.”

Katko was the first Republican lawmaker to declare that he wanted to vote to impeach former President Donald Trump. After the events of Jan. 6, 2021, Katko said, the decision on the vote wasn’t difficult.

“I knew it was coming,” Katko said. “To me that was kind of a no-brainer. There was an allegation. I voted accordingly. I attacked that bill and decision-making process just like any other bill.”

In a time of strong political division, Katko advised audience members to keep an open mind and to show respect and listen to people with opposing viewpoints.

“People like different bands. People like different restaurants. You can have different political views. It’s okay,” Katko said. “And people in this country have got to get back to understanding that that’s okay.”

Once his term ends, Katko said, he plans to spend more time with his family. He also said that it was a privilege serving in Congress.

“And that’s such a high honor, it’s hard to describe,” Katko said. “And I’ll miss that more than anything for sure.”

Related Articles