KINGSTON – Stopping only to wipe an occasional tear from his eye, U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey stood before a roomful of supporters and local and national media at the Senate House State Historic Site last week to announce his decision not to seek re-election after his term ends in December. Stepping down after thirty-eight years as an elected official from a job you "truly love" is difficult, Hinchey acknowledged, but said that he just knew, in his "heart of hearts that now is the right time" to move on.

"It's been the greatest privilege of my life to serve the residents of Ulster, Orange, Dutchess, Sullivan, Delaware, Broome, Tioga and Tompkins counties," Hinchey told the overflow audience of friends and supporters gathered for the announcement. "Never in my wildest dreams did I ever envision that I'd have such an extraordinary opportunity to serve my community, my state and my country."

Hinchey, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, said he began considering retirement prior to his last congressional campaign, but his fight during this past year with colon cancer "put everything in perspective."

He has since been declared cancer-free by his doctors, his office said.

The Congressman mentioned the upcoming state redistricting process, and expressed his support for preserving the integrity of the 22nd District, which has comprised the "same general area for four decades."

New York will lose two of its 29 congressional seats under redistricting due to the growth rate of the state's population. Democrats, who control the process, could carve up Hinchey's district, which might strengthen nearby Democrats.

Of the accomplishments he's most proud, Hinchey pointed to the cleanup of PCBs in the Hudson River, development of solar energy companies in upstate New York, his ongoing efforts to protect the nation from hydraulic fracturing, and the billions of dollars in federal investment he has obtained for his district during his tenure. The longtime public official also cited his education and his "undying love for my state and my country" as the impetus for him to become a public servant.

It is his hope, he added, that his story inspires many others to take up public service and that "despite all the turmoil, rancor, and pettiness" in politics, he believes there is nothing more noble than a person willing to serve his or her community, "whether it is in public office, at a public agency or school, the military or even volunteering through a local charity."

Following Hinchey's speech, some audience members struck up a chorus of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."

Hinchey is the son of a cement plant worker who served in the Navy and was a toll collector for the New York Thruway. He lives in Hurley, is married and has three children. His daughter, Michelle, accompanied him at the Senate House for the announcement.