Armey Tells Colleagues He Will Retire in 2003

House Majority Leader Dick Armey said that after eight years in the leadership post he is “pretty exhausted” and ready to retire when his term ends in 2003.

“I’ve got the best job in this town and I’m going to do it with all my energy for another year,” Armey (R-Texas) said in a speech on the House floor.

Armey rose from near obscurity to conservative vanguard during his nine House terms.

President Bush saluted his fellow Texan, saying Armey’s “dedication to reforming government, lowering taxes, and simplifying the tax system has deeply influenced public policy.”