Arne Duncan gave an emotional final speech as U.S. education secretary at a church on Chicago's South Side. He used the occasion to speak out against the violence in children's lives and the inability of Congress to pass gun control legislation.
Duncan spoke at St. Sabina Church where he called inaction on firearms control a great frustration and disappointment.
He announced in October that he would step down after seven years. He was one of the longest-serving secretaries in the department's history.
Duncan followed President Barack Obama to Washington from Chicago, where Duncan ran the Chicago public school system.
He plans to return to Chicago to join his family. Duncan says he has no plans to run for public office.