U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, speaks during an election night watch party Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

WASHINGTON — The accolades began rolling in for retiring U.S. Sen. Rob Portman last week as the end of his final term approaches.

During the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s final business meeting of the year, Portman, R-Ohio, was honored with a commemorative resolution in recognition of his more than three decades of public service in both chambers of Congress. Portman will retire at the end of this year.

During the meeting, a number of Portman’s key legislative priorities were also passed favorably out of committee. These included: Holodomor Resolution with co-sponsor Sen. Tim Kaine commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Holodomor – the Soviet Union’s manmade famine against the Ukrainian people in1932-33 that killed millions; the Ukraine Genocide Resolution, of which Portman is an original cosponsor, recognizing Russian actions such as forced deportations and killing of civilians in Ukraine as genocide; the Black Sea Security Act of 2022 to direct the Biden administration to develop a strategy for the Black Sea region, including a more robust foreign policy toward the region, an interagency report from the administration to outline existing efforts to support democracy, security and economic prosperity there, and an interagency strategy to increase military assistance and coordination with NATO and the European Union.

Meanwhile, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell honored POrtman with remarks delivered on the Senate floor.

McConnell talked about Portman’s family businesses and roots as an entrepreneur, adding that he became a “top-notch lawyer” who “wound up as a young associate White House Counsel, and then Director of Legislative Affairs, for President Bush 41.” Portman returned to Washington as a congressman before President George W. Bush made him U.S. Trade Representative and then asked him to run the Office of Management and Budget.

“No wonder Rob fit right in and hit the ground running when he came to the Senate in 2011,” McConnell said. “… But the real reasons for Rob’s impact are his deep knowledge, his work ethic, and his passion for finding his way to the thick of each consequential issue.

“Our friend’s focus on growth and prosperity landed him at the center of the most consequential tax reform in a generation. Rob spearheaded the complex overhaul of international tax policy that passed as part of the 2017 bill and helped unlock a tidal wave of growth, reinvestment, and job creation. …

“But Rob isn’t just a macro-level policy whiz who focuses on the top-line numbers. As much as Rob is passionate about growing the overall pie, he also knows that rising tides don’t automatically lift every boat. Sometimes Ohioans and Americans face challenges that call for a special champion. So Rob stepped up. He’s been one of this body’s sharpest early-warning signals on crises like opioid addiction and human trafficking. He’s used Congress’ investigative powers to craft solutions. And he’s built the relationships to make law.”

Portman, himself, delivered his farewell speech on the Senate floor on Thursday afternoon. He cited political leaders who helped inspire his career, and he stressed the need for lawmakers to work together across the aisle.

“In my Senate office, the mission statement my staff and I developed together says the following: Our mission is to deliver bipartisan results through effective servant leadership with integrity, selflessness, and excellence so all Ohioans can reach their God-given potential,” Portman said. “Servant leadership begins with a respect for constituents, by listening to them, and understanding their concerns. And then, whenever possible, delivering results for them.”

He also expressed pride in the work he has accomplished as a lawmaker.

“During my time in the Senate, I am proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish for Ohio and the country by trying to follow that formula: I am told by my staff that as of this week over the past 12 years,195 bills that I have authored or co-authored have been signed into law. By definition, almost all are bipartisan and product of the back and forth that leads to common ground.”

But Portman is worried for the future as he steps away from the nation’s capital.

“I do worry about the direction of the political rhetoric in this country. We need to do everything we can restore faith in our democratic institutions, both for our own sake and so we can continue to be a shining beacon on the hill for the rest of the world. We can rise above the cynicism and the dysfunction. We did it on infrastructure. We’ve done it on retirement, security, combatting opioids, giving people coming out of prison a second chance and so much more. …

“While I no longer will be a member of this body, I urge all of my colleagues and constituents to remember that there is more that unites us than divides us.”

He also commended Ohio’s Democrat senator and wished his Republican successor well.

“Over the last 12 years I’ve worked well with my colleague (Sen.) Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) on issues important to Ohio. And we’ve canceled each other’s votes on many other issues where we have disagreed. I’m proud that we worked together on Ohio issues like the Great Lakes, trade enforcement, addiction and important judicial nominations like district court judges and U.S. attorneys. Despite our differences, we made progress for Ohio together. So, my hope is that you will have a good working relationship with my friend, Senator-elect J.D. Vance (R-Ohio).

“J.D. has an impressive background of service in our military and in the private sector. I know he wants to make a difference in the lives of Ohio workers and families, and I look forward to watching him in action here in the Senate. I know what it’s like to be in public service with young children, so I want to wish J.D., his wife Usha and their three young children well.”