However, some things can never be recovered. Family, friends, savings, and memories of Ralltiir as it was before the Empire are gone, and cannot be replaced no matter how much we wish to. Nor should Ralltiir's suffering be forgotten, no matter how much we wish to. The legacy of the Empire is still felt, from an old, rusted barracks in Cambrielle to a crowded orphanage in Demilla City. Our population, now, is quite young; most of them do not remember the subjugation of Ralltiir, but I do. I am mindful of it whenever I see children playing on a pile of rubble, whenever I see the mauve carnations in our cemetaries that represent dreams unrealized, and yes, whenever I speak in this chamber against the Bastion Accords.

I understand that many on Ralltiir believe that too many people have suffered from this war, as they did, and that it is time to end it. I believe, as I've said, that the suffering of innocent people across the galaxy will not end until the Imperial Remnant has been defeated. Mon Mothma, Leia Organa and others once wrote in the document Why Do We Fight The Empire? that the Remnant "has been defeated in the past, can be defeated presently and must be so defeated whenever and wherever possible... The fight against it will continue to ensure the freedom of all who call this galaxy home and who cherish the freedom of the Old Republic."

"We of the New Republic," the document goes on, "are pledged to end this long night of misery. We are pledged to defeat and destroy the Empire and restore the Republic to the galaxy in fact and in name. Those who are currently under the threat of despotism and anarchy know this: the New Republic is committed to justice and peace and we will fight to free you." Mothma, Organa, and their supporters in the Senate once believed this, the New Republic once stood for it—and I still do. The "long night of misery," my friends, is not over. For much of the galaxy, it is nearing its darkest and interminable hour. The people of Ralltiir, I believe, know of this well.

I realize that my opposition to the Bastion Accords is not popular, but I do not apologize for it; as a Senator and a man of Ralltiir, I feel that I must do whatsoever I can to prevent the fate of Ralltiir from being visited upon other worlds, and peoples, and that the Imperial Remnant is not enabled to do so as it has done and as it continues to do. I believe what I believe, and I will not—as so many others have—be "pragmatic" and change what I believe because it would be to my political benefit. This is a quality that, I hope, the people of Ralltiir will appreciate.

But regardless of the result of tomorrow's election, I want to give a brief thanks to the Senate, and my colleagues, for the years it has been my privilege to serve here, to work with you, and to make a difference for the people of Ralltiir and indeed, the people of the Republic. We have accomplished much together; in terms of security, we have defended worlds such as Dantooine, Bandomeer, Morishim and, yes, Ralltiir. We've also guaranteed funding, both public and private, for Outer Rim defenses and, recently, for the training and recruitment of the Republican Guard.

With respect to the economy, we have cut taxes twice, by 2.5% in 11 ABY and, again, by 2% just this year while providing rebates to our citizens averaging 475 credits per person. We also reformed the banks, encouraged lending and economic growth, and abolished an outdated, prohibitive system of corporate licenses so that our businesses can be more competitive.

We have made major reforms to the New Republic, including streamlining the membership application process, affirming the rights and prerogatives of the Republic, its members and its allies, and established a system of justice for Rogue Jedi that both the Senate and the Jedi Academy agreed upon. We've accomplished all of this, and so much more, such as increasing funding for science, education and research, establishing a strategic bacta reserve and a transportation safety fund, and expanding access to the holonet and, thus, expanding opportunity to poor, disenfranchised regions of the Outer Rim.

It was also my honor, of course, to collaborate with Senator Emerest on the Sentient Equality Act of 11 ABY, and to champion Sentience Rights throughout my career.

I am proud to have sponsored these measures and to have worked with all of you to pass them. However, there remains more to do; we should abolish the federal income tax, consider imposing price controls on bacta, and diversifying its production, and we should also strengthen the power of the Sector Assemblies while, simultaneously, establishing a mechanism of ethical oversight. Finally, we should declare war on illiteracy, promote agricultural education, lower the cost of living and raise the standard of living and, yes, expand our defenses and make sure that every one of the tens of thousands of New Republic soldiers that Ponc Gavrisom fired this year will have a good job with good benefits by Life Day, no later.

Friends and colleagues, serving in this Senate has been the second most fulfilling experience of my life, after raising my daughter, Jena, on a Ralltiir that has grown around her as she, herself, has grown. I hope that tomorrow I will be back in this chamber, working on the measures that I've mentioned and what I expect to be many more accomplishments for the New Republic, for Ralltiir and, most importantly, for Jena. We have done much to make the galaxy a better place for our children, but I believe there is much more that can—and must—be done.

My thanks, again. I yield the floor.