Last week, we reported that Michigan Rep. John Conyers was stepping down from the House Judiciary Committee amidst sexual harassment allegations. Many members of Congress, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi called for Conyers, the longest serving member of the House, to resign.

Surrogates for Conyers accused those calling for his resignation of racism, noting that no such calls were made about Senator Al Franken of Minnesota. Multiple women and former staffers have come forward saying that Conyers groped them, offered unwanted sexual advances and sexually harassed them. Conyers has said these women aren't telling the truth.

Now, however, PBS NewsHour reports that Conyers has penned an official letter announcing his retirement. Texas Representative Sheila Jackson, who is a Judiciary Committee member, read the letter on the House floor and informed House Speaker Paul Ryan, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi and Michigan Governor Rick Snyder that Conyers “offered his retirement immediately."

“I came to Congress in 1964. Since then I have devoted my entire career to improving the lives of my constituents in Detroit on the behalf of justice everywhere," wrote Conyers.

“These years witness a profound evolution in civil rights led by millions in the street who fought for justice and people of conscience in the Congress, both Democrats and Republicans who heard them and enacted the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act and other landmark reforms," continued Conyers.

Conyers definitely has an extensive history within the House, including being the founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, and helping to pass laws such as the "Martin Luther King holiday, the Violence Against Women Act, the Hate Crimes Act, the U.S.A. Freedom and the extension of the Voting Rights Act."

“I hope that my retirement will be viewed in the larger perspective of my record of service as I enter a new chapter. I pledge to continue my commitment to a progressive vision and a better future for this country that I love," the letter read. "I owe that to the legacy of my father, John Conyers Sr., who integrated labor unions in this country; to my brother Nathan, who integrated business and he is my main man; and to my wife Monica and to my sons John III, who I believe offers hope to this generation of leadership and who is committed to being an advocate of fairness and justice for all, and Carl Edward, who never leaves my side."

Rep. John Conyers

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