Corzine to Give Farewell on Senate Floor

WASHINGTON – New Jersey Gov.-elect Jon Corzine returned to Washington on Wednesday for Senate business and planned to give a farewell speech to his colleagues the following day, his office said.

The Democrat also was slated to receive several tributes from his colleagues on the Senate floor Thursday afternoon.

Corzine's trip back to the nation's capital will most likely be his last time here as a sitting U.S. senator, his office said. The Senate is preparing to end its session before the Christmas and Hanukkah holidays.

Corzine will be sworn in as New Jersey's governor Jan. 17. Last week, he named Rep. Robert Menendez to serve out the remaining year of his term.

Besides voting on various measures, Corzine was ferrying Menendez around the Senate. Corzine, Menendez and Sen. Frank Lautenberg, D-N.J., are slated to attend the Democratic Caucus lunch Thursday and then are to hold a news conference with the Senate Democratic leadership.

Also Wednesday, Corzine announced that he has selected Stuart Rabner, head of the criminal division of the U.S. Attorney's office in Newark, to serve as his chief counsel during his administration.

"Stuart has worked tirelessly on the people's behalf at the U.S. Attorney's Office, fighting corruption, terrorism and violent crime," Corzine said in a statement.

Other appointments announced Wednesday included Heather Howard, Corzine's Senate chief-of-staff, as his policy counsel.

Ivette Mendez, who served as press secretary for Corzine's gubernatorial campaign and 2000 Senate race, will serve as Corzine's communications director.