Killing Congress

He took the mic and gave a very complimentary speech, thanking me for my fifteen years of service and wishing me well in my future endeavors. He turned back toward the table and said, “But before you go we have several gifts for you, well actually, this first one is not a gift. It is something that you earned and it gives me a great deal of pleasure to present you the Department’s most prestigious award.” He picked up a blue folder with the FBI shield embossed in Gold on the front, opened it and read a citation that made me sound like one of the Super Hero’s from the comic books. He then pinned the FBI Medal for Meritorious Achievements to my lapel and gently turned me toward the cameraman who came forward to take our picture. “Now, for the gifts,” he said as he picked up a large photograph of the Hoover Building. The matt framing the photo had signatures and short messages all around it. “As soon as we are sure everyone here has signed this we will put it back in its frame and have it ready for you when you leave.” He removed the cloth covering two additional photographs, holding up the first one so all could see, as he told them of our visit to the Oval Office. He presented me the picture of the President shaking my hand and patting me on the chest. The picture had been matted and framed and it contained the bold signature of the President on the matt. The other picture was of the four of us, the President sitting in the wingback chair and the three of us on the two couches. It was beautifully matted and framed also. “Last and certainly not the least, I have a personal message for you from the President, he requested that you not open it here, but wait until you can open it with your bride.” The envelope was marked in the upper left-hand corner in blue ink, The White House and was hand addressed to Colt and Ellen McLean, in what looked to be the President’s own handwriting. It was sealed with a gold Presidential Seal with two short blue ribbons attached. I put the envelope in the inside breast pocket of my coat, thanked the Director and took the mic he offered me. “Friends, I am so thankful that you came to say your goodbyes and I do want to ask all of you to make sure you sign the picture of the Hoover Building before you leave. It, along with these other treasures will have a special place of honor in my new home in North Carolina. These past few weeks have been quite a ride, certainly capping off a career that I once thought rather mundane. Boy, did that change. This past week has been the most incredible week of my life. Some would say, Colt, you have to be the luckiest man alive, and they may be at least partially right. I would say, that I absolutely believe that there was Devine intervention involved. I know I have been blessed to have His support and that of all of you. So, please accept my appreciation for all you have done over these years to help me achieve the success that has come my way. I am without a doubt, blown away. To be in the national limelight for several days running and then to have the President recognize your contributions is almost beyond my comprehension. Today, I found out that the Washington Post will run an article in Saturday’s issue telling all about my decision to leave the FBI and to write a story that I believe needs telling. Since all of you will have the opportunity to read that article, I will not bore you with the details here today. Jim Olsen said to me the other day, ‘How can you walk away from all this?’ The answer is with a little bit of trepidation and a great deal of confidence that I am doing the right thing. Again, I say thank you to you all and may God bless all of you.”