Article snippet: One of the longest-serving senators in U.S. history bid farewell to Utah Republican Party delegates Saturday, offering a solemn goodbye to the state that sent him to the Senate for 41 years. Orrin Hatch's remarks to the state GOP convention were brief but emotional. "Together, we have accomplished incredible things," the longtime lawmaker told a largely adoring crowd in suburban Salt Lake City. Before his speech, the state party played a video summing up Hatch's political career featuring praise from President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and late President Ronald Reagan over a swell of inspirational music. Yet Hatch's retirement comes none too soon for some party loyalists who seethed at the possibility that he might break a promise not to seek an eighth term. "Thank you for retiring," shouted one woman from the crowd as Hatch, 83, approached the stage. He steps down with his hand-picked successor, former presidential contender Mitt Romney, standing nearby. Romney will look to secure the party's nomination at the convention later in the day. Since encouraging Romney to run, however, Hatch has largely stayed out of the race for his replacement, and he did not mention the former Massachusetts governor during his short speech on Saturday. Hatch's decision to retire in January allowed him to leave his legacy intact and avoid a bruising re-election battle. As his years in office added up, Hatch repeatedly told voters his experience and clout made h... Link to the full article to read more