U.S. Rep. Gordon set to leave House

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon, D-Tenn., said Monday he is planning on retiring from the U.S. House of Representatives at the end of the year.

Gordon, 60, confirmed in a written statement he will leave the lower house of the U.S. Congress to allow for a "new chapter," The (Nashville) Tennessean reported.

"When I was elected, I was the youngest member of the Tennessee congressional delegation; now, I'm one of the oldest," he said. "In fact, I have members of my staff who weren't even born when I took office. That tells me it's time for a new chapter."

The chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee said he made the decision to retire at the end of 2009 after discussing the matter with his wife, Leslie.

In addition to his wife, Gordon also referred to his 8-year-old daughter, Peyton, and his 83-year-old mother, Margaret, in his retirement announcement.

"They have made sacrifices to allow me to do what I love by serving in Congress, and now it's my turn," said Gordon, who is serving his 13th two-year term.