Chief of Staff-Designate Emanuel to Resign Friday

White House Chief of Staff-designate Rahm Emanuel will resign his seat in the House of Representatives on Friday, his office said Monday.

Emanuel, who has represented Illinois’s 5th congressional district since 2003, informed Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D) that he would resign his seat on January 2. New members of Congress are sworn in Tuesday, January 6.

“It has been a tremendous privilege to serve the people of the Fifth District over the last six years,” Emanuel said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to represent the hopes and dreams of a quintessentially American district, from hardworking families to new immigrants to the senior citizens who built this country.”

“Their sense of duty and sacrifice has been an inspiration, which I will carry with me to my new duties as chief of staff to President-elect Barack Obama,” he added.