Obama resigns from Senate, meets w/ vanquished Republican rival McCain on Mon. Nov.17

President-elect Barack H. Obama at a press conference on the campaign trail.

Photo: Leila Khaled

Below is a statement from President-elect Barack Obama announcing his resignation from Senate:

"It has been one of the highest honors and privileges of my life to have served the people of Illinois in the United States Senate. In a state that represents the crossroads of a nation, I have met so many men and women who've taken different journeys, but hold common hopes for their children's future.

It is these Illinois families and their stories that will stay with me as I leave the United States Senate and begin the hard task of fulfilling the simple hopes and common dreams of all Americans as our nation's next President," said President-elect Barack Obama.

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Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich will appoint Obama’s replacement. Names circulating and said to be under consideration are Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., Rep. Luis Gutierrez, Tammy Duckworth, head of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and Emil Jones, retiring president of the Illinois state Senate and Barack Obama’s mentor.

Obama's Senate Office remains open for a period of time, not to exceed 60 days after his resignation. According to his presidential transition office, many loose administrative ends and some archiving will take place during that time.