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The 33-year-old Illinois Republican, first elected to the
U.S. House of Representatives in 2008, had just cast his final
vote as he resigns from Congress, ending - at least for now -
what had been called a promising political career.
Schock is under investigation by federal law enforcement
authorities for possible illegal use of campaign funds,
according to media reports and some fellow lawmakers.
Earlier this year, he also attracted attention when The
Washington Post wrote about Schock's opulent redecoration of his
congressional office in the style of the popular British
television show "Downton Abbey."
"I leave here with sadness and humility," he said in a House
floor speech on his resignation. "I know that God has a plan for
my life," he said, as he quoted "the Good Book."
Nearly 170 years ago, Abraham Lincoln, before becoming
president, was elected to the Illinois congressional seat that
Schock is vacating.
Invoking Lincoln, Schock noted he also faced adversity and
setbacks, adding: "His continual perseverance in the face of
these trials, never giving up, is something all of us Americans
should be inspired by ... especially when going through a valley
in life."
Schock, who some had viewed as a rising star in the House
Republican ranks despite a thin legislative record, was featured
in 2011 on the cover of Men's Health magazine displaying
"political muscle," with abdominals that the magazine said made
him "America's fittest congressman."
(Reporting by Richard Cowan; editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and G
Crosse)
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