More than 40 lawmakers say goodbye at the Capitol because of term limits.

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Friday marked the final legislative day for more than 40 lawmakers falling under Oklahoma's term limit law.

In the last days of the session, term-limited members took time to say their farewells.

"I never really intended to stay 22 years," said House Speaker Larry Adair, D-Stilwell. "It sort of gets in your blood."

Adair said he would exit with fond memories.

"I leave with no animosity, but only good feelings about 22 years in the House of Representatives," he said.

Rep. M.C. Leist, D-Morris, said he was looking forward to retiring from legislative service.

Leist termed Republican members the "loyal opposition."

"The loyal opposition is what keeps the majority doing what it ought to be doing," he said.

Leist said the worst vote

he took during his 18 years of service was to oust then-House Speaker Jim Barker in 1989.

"I've regretted it a thousand times," he said.

Leist said that Barker's removal weakened the speakership.

Rep. Bill Graves, R-Oklahoma City, has served 24 years in the House.

A staunch conservative partisan, Graves praised several of his current and former Democratic colleagues for their passion and commitment to public service. Like Leist, he said he would like to change his vote against Barker.

"Vote your conscience," he advised House members. "You're all very honorable people. I'll miss you."

Rep. Richard Phillips, R-Warr Acres, sprinkled his goodbye remarks to the House with trademark humor.

"I guess you're wondering what's next for me," he told the House. "I'll be in rehab for a while."

He aimed some gentle barbs at his GOP caucus mates.

"Ray Vaughn, thank you for your tough love for us smokers," he said. "I'm not sure who will take up the torch, but you'll make sure it's not lit."

Philips did have some serious advice for his remaining colleagues.

"Never walk away from a good fight," he said. "And always tell the truth."

Rep. Kevin Cox, D-Oklahoma City, has served in the House since 1980.

"It's been a long time," he said. "I never thought it would come. I never thought I would get old."

Cox said he has made friends on both sides of the aisle.

Rep. Frank Davis, R-Guthrie, is leaving after 26 years in the House, part of them as minority leader.

With characteristic dry wit, Davis said he never reached 100 percent on the conservative index as Graves has.

"I expect that's because he selects the issues that are on the index," Davis said.

A former prosecutor and municipal judge, Davis left his colleagues with some advice.

"Bigger government is not necessarily better government," said Davis, a longtime advocate of zero-based budgeting.

Politicians help solve people's problems through government, he said.

Davis said he doesn't mind being called a career politician.

"It's all I ever wanted to be," he said.

Rep. Bill Paulk, D-Oklahoma City, said that democracy is a delicate thing that can be killed by indifference, insanity, intolerance and inaction, he added.

"You are protecting this fragile flower of democracy," Paulk said.

Unlike the House, the Senate had a 30-minute farewell ceremony for its term-limited members.

The term-limited senator for the day usually was praised by a Senate leader, a colleague and a nonsenator friend. Spouse, family members and their Senate secretary or aide also were on hand, and the senator was presented a portrait of himself or herself.

Senators also told about their life and experiences as a senator. Some were serious, some were filled with humor.

One of the funniest speeches was delivered by Sen. Dick Wilkerson, D-Atwood, who spoke of his days as a youth in the Army and in law enforcement.

Senate President Pro Tem Cal Hobson, D-Lexington, said the Senate is losing 273 years of experience this year because of term limits.