With her staff on the Senate floor and her husband watching from the gallery, the Maine Republican on Thursday delivered her farewell speech.

She said she’s not leaving the Senate because she’s ceased believing in its potential. Instead, she said she wants to work from outside to encourage bipartisanship and consensus, adhering to the founding precepts of compromise and conciliation over partisanship and division.

She thanked the people of Maine for placing their trust with her during 34 years in Congress, including three terms in the Senate. Snowe, who was orphaned at age 9, is the third-longest-serving woman in congressional history.