The Massachusetts House of Representatives held a special session yesterday to honor the 25 legislators who will be leaving at the end of this session. The session provided the outgoing members with a forum to bid farewell to their colleagues, families, staff and constituents.

Speaker of the House Thomas Finneran called to order the Members’ Farewell Address amid a bustling crowd of more than 200.

‘The tradition of the farewell speeches is for members who are moving on to new challenges and careers,’ Finneran said. ‘This is the most engaging session of the year.’

Dec. 31 typically marks the end of a state representative’s term in office. While some legislators lost in November’s elections, others chose this year to step down or pursue other positions.

State Rep. Kevin Fitzgerald, who represented Boston districts for 28 years, took the podium first to a lengthy standing ovation. Fitzgerald acknowledged a long list of people whom he has worked with both inside and outside of the House.

‘It’s been about faith and family and friends the whole time,’ he said.

Fitzgerald said his political career began at the age of 16 when he was picked out of a hat to be governor for a day.

‘When acting governor [Francis] Sargent asked me, ‘Are you interested in politics?’ I told him, ‘Absolutely not,” he said.

As a young man, Fitzgerald said, his opinion changed as he watched his community of Roxbury become consumed with crime, poverty and racial tension, compelling him to run for office.

‘We [ran] because our community was falling to its knees and we wanted to do something about it,’ he said.

John McGrath, 42, of West Roxbury, said he attended the session specifically to pay respect to Fitzgerald.

‘In my opinion, he’s done more in the state than anyone else,’ he said. ‘He is good to the people.’

Another rousing farewell speech came from State Rep. Maryanne Lewis, who represents Dedham and Westwood. Lewis lost her seat to Dedham Selectman Bob Coughlin in the November election. Her speech included a spin-off of the children’s story ‘The Night Before Christmas,’ titled ‘The Night of the Election.’

‘I can say whatever I want,’ she joked. ‘You can’t fire me, Mr. Speaker – the people already have.’