Behalf, then joined his sister in court. They kept me company, he even let me beat him in a round of golf. Im blessed to have great children. Love you so much [crying] i thank you. I want to thank my sister and her husband. Their bible passages were of incredible strength to me. Thank my constant these people for their Constant Friendship and innocence. I wish salad success in his search for justice. I want to think the defense as well as dr. Melvins attorneys. The Nations Defense attorney methodically toward part of this case. Justice brown, whose insights were invaluable, and his , who gave their total commitment to our cause. , idr. Melvins defense team them for their valuable roles. I want to thank the jury, 12 new ans, who saw through the usednments claims, and their jersey common sense to reject. I appreciate their service, their sacrifice, and their time away from their family and professions. I want to thank my colleague, senator cory booker, who has been supportive from day one, who traveled the state and spread the good word. He was here on the first day of travel trial and testified what was, in my mind, a profile. His personal reputation this would take a risk. He is a public servant. I also want to thank senator lindsey graham, my friend, and colleague. I think them for their truthfulness and honesty. While he came as a friend, i appreciate the Political Capital he use. Indeed in todays politics. , want to thank the clergy those who strengthens me. Im still thankful for your spirit, comfort, and support. Jackson, thank bishop everyone for being character witnesses. I want to thank the hundreds in new jersey who i encountered in the last 10 weeks, who overwhelmingly expressed their support and prayers. Staff in newnk my jersey for their loyalty, and above all, their dedication. Especially, my chief of staff. Ortega. E let me say a few things. Wasway this case started wrong. The way it was investigated was wrong. Way it was prosecuted was wrong, and the way it was tried was wrong as well. There certain moments of the fbi and our state they cannot that it cannot accept the latino kid from union city and Hudson County can grow up to be a United States senator and be honest. I cant begin to tell you how many people have come to tout that the fbi went to them and asked, what can you give us on menendez . The just the justice is supposed to be doing this. They leaked this to the press during the early stages of the investigation. I have made my share of mistakes, but my mistakes were never a crime. Ive learned through this process, a lot. It is truly a system of justice you can afford. So Many Americans feel that justice is elusive. For supporters from across the country who believed in me, who knew who i am and what i stand for, i could never have afforded the millions of dollars this case has cost. My gratitude to all those from who believeduntry in me and helped me amount of my Legal Defense against the millions of dollars spent by the government. Federal ive also learned about the t federale weigh government, and how it can crush what it wants to. Gives me an even greater resolve to make sure that there is a check to that awesome power. To . E do i go what officer department of the federal government gives me back the past 2. 5 years of my life . Where do i go to to have the damage they sought to incur to my reputation, what department them . Let meeplaces share some final thoughts. To those who left me, who abandoned me in my darkest moments, i forgive you. To those who embrace me in my darkest moments, i love you. To those New Jerseyans who gave me the benefit of the doubt, i thank you. But ise who have it out will work harder than ever who have ao those doubt, i will work harder than ever before. To those in the press who did their job with professionalism, and even to some of you who were actually kind wheres dominic i dont see him. Dominic . I believe you showed what a professional press is about, and why that freedom is so important to our society. To those who are digging my political grave so they could jump into my seat, i know who you are and i wont forget you. Let me answer the question before. t theres nothing in wanted to do more than tell my story. Im proud of of people it helped in new jersey and across the country. Often, we bring people who were denied, so they could save the life of a loved one. My work to have 100 court standing, something i have been a champion of and believes in the vital security interests of the United States. Afford to we cant throw good medicine. A trial is not a debate. Public forum its a legal procedure. My testimony would have likely taken days. That means we risk losing one of the jurors, who would be asked excused for going on a preplanned vacation. We felt by the way she reacted to different parts of the prosecution and defense is presentations, that she believed in our innocence. We didnt want to lose them. We were right on that. The prosecution would have used me to redo their entire meritless case and cheat all over again. This includes having me read emails and other materials that were not mine, and wouldve put my voice and name was their purpose, in essence, giving them an additional summation before their final summation. Just a small window into my thinking. Anyone who knows me knows that i never seek a fight. They also know i never shy away from one. This was in a fair fight. I have spent 43 years, my entire adult life, and Public Service to the people of new jersey and the nation. It has been one of my greatest privileges. Im served i have served with honesty and integrity. I am proud of what i have been able to accomplish with the people of new jersey. Im proud many young people and many from the Hispanic Community look at me and say its possible to grow up poor, live in a tenement, go to public schools, because first and your family, and rice to be one of 100 United States senators. To going back to washington to fighting to fight for the people of new jersey. Todays regiment resurrection day, and i want to thank god once again. On capitol hill tonight, the Senate Finance committee continues its work reviewing the Senate Tax Reform proposal. They are in a short break now, expected back in about 10 minutes. The house passing its tax reform bill today, when the full senate finalized its version of chambers will need to come together to record reconcile the