Rep. Aaron Schock says goodbye while likening himself to Lincoln

In his last speech on the House floor before resigning his seat at the end of the month, Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Ill.) said on Thursday he is leaving with "sadness and humility" — and then compared himself to the man who preserved the Union, abolished slavery, and strengthened the government.

"I also know that every person faces adversity in life. Abraham Lincoln held this seat in Congress for one term but few faced as many defeats in his personal, business and public life as he did," he said. "His continual perseverance in the face of these trials, never giving up, is something all of us Americans should be inspired by, especially when going through a valley in life."

In his goodbye address, Schock also said he tried his best to "contribute constructively to the process and to serve the people of my district and my country," and apologized to "those whom I've let down." Schock, 33, was elected to Congress in 2008 at the age of 27, and resigned his seat after questions came up about lavish spending of both taxpayer and campaign funds on private jets, concerts, and Downton Abbey-inspired office decorations.

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