Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images.

Rep. Eric Cantor gave his final address as Majority Leader on the House floor today, telling his colleagues, “I have truly lived the American dream.”

But Cantor warned that the dream had “erode[d] in recent years,” adding that public education is the “civil rights issue of our time.” The Virginia Republican was unexpectedly defeated by a Tea Party conservative in June. Even though he stepped down as Majority Leader today, Cantor will keep his seat until the end of January.

According to Washington Post reporter Paul Kane, Speaker of the House John Boehner was visibly sad to see his bro go: “Boehner goes for the hanky as he starts to sob during Cantor’s farewell address.”

Vintage @EricCantor on the floor just now: unwavering, optimistic, classy. Real honor to call him colleague & friend.

— Speaker John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) July 31, 2014