Ilir Ikonomi after three decades of work: This was my last day on the Voice of America.

After three decades in Voice of America, journalist Ilir Ikonomi directed the latest career show Friday, during which he has covered major events in the United States, Albania, Kosovo and wherever there is Albanian public speaking.

Here's his greeting to the American Voice audience:

Ilir Ikonomi's voice shakes This was my last day on the “The Voice of America”

After three decades in Voice of America, journalist Ilir Ikonomi directed the latest career show Friday, during which he has covered major events in the United States, Albania, Kosovo and wherever there is Albanian public speaking.

Here's his greeting to the American Voice audience:

Before we split up, I'd like to inform you that this is my last day in the Voice of America. After that, I retire to pursue other passions in my life.

After almost three decades, I feel privileged to work in this respected institution traditionally known as the voice of truth. But I would like to tell you all, our viewers: thank you for the opportunity you gave me to enter your homes, to speak openly to you, to share with you the news from America and the world.

Right now, I remember one of the highlights of my career June 12, 1999, when I entered Kosovo with NATO troops and reported from there about Voice of America with a satellite phone.

Events like this and others will remain unscathed in my memory.

When the Voice of America was created some 80 years ago, its host, William Harlan Hale, said some monument words that we repeatedly mention as our creed. He said: “News can be good for us, or bad for us. We'll tell you the truth. ”

Reporting the truth is not easy because it requires courage, it requires work. And I believe that American Voice journalists working out of government intervention can be fully recognized as merit.

So I guess it's been an honor for me if I've helped out a little bit of this effort.

For the Voice of America, I'm Ilir Ikonomi.

Good night. ”