U.S. Rep Steny Hoyer, the longest-serving House Democrat and dean of Maryland’s federal delegation, announced on Thursday his retirement from a decades-long career in Congress.

An emotional Hoyer took the podium on the floor of the U.S. House to say he would not seek another term, noting his long career has had more days of “diamonds than stone.”

“I make this decision with sadness, for I love this House,” he said.

Hoyer’s retirement opens a U.S. House seat in a solidly blue district at the top of an election year, and as older members of the Democratic Party are ceding long-held power to a next generation of lawmakers.

Hoyer delivered a sweeping — and uncharacteristically brief — speech for a congressman with a reputation for lengthy commentary on matters of principle. His remarks were filled with gratitude and appreciation for his family and colleagues and stern warnings for Congress and the country in the face of deep partisan division.

“We must remember that we are not great or unique because we say we’re great, but because we are just, generous and fair,” he said.

He hearkened back to a time more than four decades ago when he first entered Congress and members of both parties worked together to resolve disagreements.

“I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to examine their conscience, renew their courage and carry out the responsibilities that the first article of the Constitution demands,” he said.

Democrats in the 119th Congress have been overpowered by Republicans who hold control of both chambers and the presidency.

Hoyer’s voice broke as he reflected on the young man he once was in 1959 who nearly “flunked” out of the University of Maryland, had it not been for hearing a convocation speech delivered on campus by then-U.S. Sen. John F. Kennedy, who would be elected president the next year.

“In his remarks he urged us to do our duty in those days of world chaos,” he said.

Those words inspired Hoyer to change his major to political science and launched a career in public service.

Members of Hoyer’s family attended in the gallery. They have “borne much of the burden of my service,” he said, thanking them.

He acknowledged his late wife, Judith P. Hoyer, who died decades ago from cancer, and his current wife, Elaine Kamarck, whom he married in 2023.

And he thanked voters, especially the African American community of Prince George’s County, “without whom I would not have won the election,” he said.

With a catch in his voice, he ended his speech — “With tremendous gratitude, I yield back.”

The Southern Maryland politician winds down a nearly 60-year career as an elected official, during which he held key leadership positions in the Maryland General Assembly and in Congress.

First elected to represent Prince George’s County in the Maryland state Senate in 1967, Hoyer rose to lead the chamber as senate president at the age of 35.

In Congress, Hoyer served in a host of high-ranking leadership positions, rising to House majority leader under former Speaker and Baltimore native Nancy Pelosi, and helped shepherd landmark legislation into law, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Affordable Care Act, which gave millions of uninsured Americans access to a health care marketplace.

Pelosi, a California Democrat, announced her retirement last year, signaling a changing of the Democratic old guard and sparking questions about Hoyer’s future plans.

News of the elder statesman’s departure rippled across Maryland. Lawmakers and colleagues flooded social media and press releases with an outpouring of accolades, remembrances and well wishes.

Hoyer received handshakes and hugs, including a longer, warm embrace from Pelosi, from House members, and including his fellow Maryland delegation members. Retired U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin was in attendance. Former Sen. Barbara Mikulski in a statement applauded Hoyer’s deft navigation of the “corridors of power.”

Several Maryland officials credited Hoyer with shaping and guiding their careers in public service and his calm steady hand in leading the Maryland delegation.

“I do not exaggerate when I say Congressman Steny Hoyer changed my life,” said Sen. Angela Alsobrooks in a statement, as she credited Hoyer with being the first to “plant the seed” of running for federal office.

Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth, a Democrat who represents Howard and parts of Anne Arundel and Carroll counties, started her career as an intern in Hoyer’s office and said she has welcomed his “words of wisdom” as a colleague during what has been a “chaotic” first year.

“On the hardest of days, I was always grateful to get his perspective on complex issues,” she said in a statement.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, Attorney General Anthony Brown and Sen. Chris Van Hollen heralded Hoyer’s dedication to Maryland.

“Even while serving at the highest levels of national leadership, Steny’s focus never drifted from home,” said Rep. Johnny Olszewski, a Democrat representing parts of Baltimore County, Baltimore City and Carroll County.

Five Democrats have already filed to run for the seat, which represents parts of Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties and all of Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.