Luken's farewell at the Queen City Club

Departing Mayor Charlie Luken speaks to Councilman Jim Tarbell at a send-off given for him by the Cincinnati business community at the Queen City Club Monday. Son Sam Luken is in the far background. (Photo by Meggan Booker/The Cincinnati Enquirer)

Several hundred political, business and civic leaders gathered at the Queen City Club Monday night for a reception to honor departing Mayor Charlie Luken.

Western & Southern Chairman John F. Barrett hosted the reception, and Eric H. Kearney -- the "pre-senator" selected last week to replace Mayor-elect Mark Mallory in the Ohio Senate -- was master of ceremonies. Also feting Luken were Mallory, former interim City Manager Timothy H. Riordan and Fraternal Order of Police Vice President Keith Fangman.

Luken's own speech, characteristically, was short -- just two and a half minutes. Uncharacteristically, he seemed to get choked up at the end.

A transcript:

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you. It's an honor for me that you've come out. I want to thank you and all of the sponsors. Mayor, it's nice to have you come out and say hello to me, and all the City Council members -- past, present and future -- thank you. I appreciate you all being here.

I want to also mention that my father is here. As Mayor Mallory mentioned, I come from a political family. My dad is in the back there. He is still the sharpest political mind in the city of Cincinnati. And my mother is here. She is still the most long-suffering woman in the City of Cincinnati.

And my son Sam, and my one daughter Molly, there's Molly. My other daughter is under the weather today. Some of you remember them when they were below my knees as they knocked around City Hall when I first was elected. It takes me back. I have many pleasant memories.

Today is not a day to recount accomplishments nor to measure the failings. There have been plenty of both, I guess, over the years. Let them just say about all of us here that we stood for our city at a time when our city needed it. And if that's what they say about the fast few years, I will be very happy. My hope is that together we have put together a foundation in this city that Mayor Mallory and the new council can build on, and take us to new places -- new and better places in the city.

You find out a lot about yourself when times are tough. My first six years were kind of a cake walk, and my last six years have been something very different than that. But I am grateful -- and this is the big point I want to make -- I am grateful to all of you. For every time that there was someone who wanted to place blame or point a finger, there were 10 people who gave me a pat on the back, or a hug, or who said, "I'm praying for you." And I am grateful to the people of Cincinnati for the kindness that they have shown to me in what have been some very trying times for the city.

I hope you all have enjoyed yourselves. I am going to say now something that you will never hear again, probably for the rest of your lives. And that is, drinks are on Barrett.