In farewell, Kaine cites successes and challenges Virginia faces

In his valedictory speech concluding four years in office, Kaine (D) hailed the most significant accomplishments of his term: a ban on smoking in most bars and restaurants; millions of dollars set aside to clean up the Chesapeake Bay; and more than 400,000 acres of open space placed into preservation, an area the size of Virginia's Eastern Shore.

But he also said the state faces major struggles, particularly a gridlocked transportation network and a higher education system suffering from years of state budget cuts.

"No state in America has enjoyed the success that we have seen in recent years," he said. "Now some of our remarkable forward movement in Virginia has been obscured by the very difficult national recession that we've all worked together through since the spring of 2007. But Virginia is well positioned going forward because of our economic, our educational and our political leadership."

Legally barred from seeking a second term, Kaine, 51, steps down Saturday, when Republican Robert F. McDonnell will be sworn in as Virginia's 71st governor. Kaine and his wife, Anne Holton, the daughter of former governor A. Linwood Holton Jr. (R), plan to remain in Richmond, where Kaine will teach college classes and expand his efforts as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.