The oldest member of the U.S. Senate says he'll keep working until his term ends in 2015.U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg spoke in his hometown of Paterson on Friday at the New Jersey Community Development Center, one day after announcing he would not seek re-election next year.

His wife and daughter standing by his side, the 89-year-old said he is not announcing his retirement. "I will be continuing on my mission to do the right thing wherever I can" and continue working on his agenda for gun control, against global warming and working class families.

He made special note of working on gun control legislation because  President Obama is determined to get his proposals passed. He also voiced support for New Jersey's ballot question about raising the minimum wage.

The speech was nostalgic, as Lautenberg reminisced about growing up poor in the city.  "You can take the kid out of Paterson but you can't take the Paterson out of the kid" he said to applause.

He credited the G.I. Bill with helping him go to college after World War II and mentioned being the only veteran of that war.  He went on the help create the payroll processing company ADP.

Lautenberg will be 90 when his term ends in 2015.


The Associated Press contributed to this report

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