Following plaudits and accolades from several prominent longtime supporters, Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton officially departed City Hall this afternoon.
After a somewhat sentimental yet still fiesty speech, Herenton handed his letter of resignation to his interim successor, Councilman Myron Lowry.
During a followup question session with reporters, Herenton tossed down the gauntlet to his future opponent for the 9th District seat, Steve Cohen, saying that African Americans deserved a Tennessee congressional seat, since they make up 16 percent of the population of the state. Details and a full report from Jackson Baker, who was on the scene, to follow soon.
