Former House majority leader Tom DeLay (R-Texas) gave his farewell speech to the House of Representatives on Thursday.

DeLay resigned rather than seek re-election due to ongoing legal troubles. He is under scrutiny for his ties to Jack Abramoff and for alleged money-laundering in Texas elections.

In January 2001, DeLay inserted an Indian Country Today editorial into the Congressional Record that praised Mississippi Choctaw Chief Phillip Martin for his success in creating a reservation economy built on gaming, manufacturing and other enterprises [PDF]. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians was Abramoff's biggest tribal client.

DeLay is linked to the Choctaws and Abramoff in other ways. In May 2000, a few months before putting the comments into the record, he went on a trip to Scotland with Abramoff that was partly funded by a $25,000 check from the tribe.

The Choctaws were the first to contribute to Focus on the Family, a conservative group created by DeLay's former chief of staff. The tribe gave $15,000, apparently based on Abramoff's advice.

The tribe also gave money to DeLay so he could throw parties at the 2000 Republican convention in Philadelphia. Later, the tribe and DeLay's political action committees each gave $5,000 to the Hampshire Republican Party in November 2004 so the GOP could jam the phones of a Democratic get-out-the-vote line.

Get the Story:
DeLay Pulls No Punches In Final Speech to House (The Washington Post 6/9)
pwpwd
DeLay Bids the House a Torrid Goodbye (The New York Times 6/9)
pwnyt
Rep. Tom DeLay Delivers His Farewell Address (CQ Transcripts Wire 6/8)

Relevant Documents:
Charges: US v Rudy | Factual Proffer

Relevant Links:
Rep. Tom DeLay - http://tomdelay.house.gov

Related Stories:
Wives of DeLay, Doolittle part of Abramoff probe (6/7)
Outgoing Rep. DeLay sets June 9 as last day in office (5/12)
AP: DeLay knew Abramoff arranged overseas trip (5/8)
Novak: Tom DeLay guilty only of bad judgment (04/07)
DeLay denies resignation linked to Abramoff probe (04/05)
Editorial: The fall of Rep. Tom DeLay, the Hammer (04/05)
WSJ: Team DeLay to blame for Republican ethics woes (04/05)
Embattled Rep. Tom DeLay won't seek re-election (4/4)
Ex-DeLay aide admits to fleecing wealthy tribes (4/3)
Ex-DeLay aide charged with corruption conspiracy (3/31)
Choctaws were first to donate to 'Family' group (03/27)
Rep. DeLay likes Abramoff interview in Vanity Fair (03/10)
Rep. DeLay easily wins GOP primary in Texas (3/8)
Rep. DeLay faces voters in Texas GOP primary (3/6)
Abramoff not slowing down Burns, DeLay or Ney (3/3)
Texas group critical of DeLay cleared in IRS probe (2/27)
Prosecutor targets DeLay trip funded by Choctaws (02/02)
DeLay denies being a target of Abramoff probe (01/27)
Opinion: Native lobbyists must change ways too (01/26)
McCain blames both parties for 'out of control' lobbying (01/23)
Abramoff not in NIGA's camp but lobbyist came close (01/19)
DeLay pressed officials after taking Abramoff money (01/11)
Column: New name for DeLay - Dances with Dollars (01/10)
Texas prosecutor subpoenas Choctaws, Barona Band (01/06)
Abramoff scandal tips off power struggle within GOP (01/06)
Mississippi Choctaws gave $250K to 'Family' group (01/04)
Bush blasted for remarks on Abramoff, DeLay (12/16)
Bush seeks to link Jack Abramoff to Democrats (12/15)
Tom DeLay denies making phone call to Abramoff (12/15)
Judge won't dismiss all charges against DeLay (12/06)
McCain expects 'lots' of indictments in Abramoff case (12/05)
Groups seek probe of Reed's role in scandal (12/02)
Abramoff probe spreads to members of Congress (11/28)
Abramoff used charity to raise money for DeLay (11/04)
DeLay staff helped Abramoff gain access to Norton (11/03)
DeLay booked, photographed on arrest warrant (10/21)
Texas court issues arrest warrant for DeLay (10/20)
Mississippi Choctaws gave to DeLay's party fund (10/18)
DeLay's shifting of campaign funds under scrutiny (10/07)
DeLay indicted on money laundering charges (10/4)
DeLay steps aside after being indicted in Texas (9/29)
Hayworth targeted for ties to Abramoff, DeLay (7/4)
Hayworth predicts DeLay will weather ethics storm (3/15)
Tribe, gambling firm funded DeLay's overseas trip (3/14)
DeLay rebuked yet again for flaunting influence (10/7)
DeLay rebuked for trading influence on House floor (10/1)