LARRY WOODS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): The political odyssey of George Corley Wallace has come full circle. He began his career 40 years ago here at the Alabama state capital and for four decades his feisty presence and philosophy was strongly felt not only across the South, but in many sections of the nation as well. But today, George Wallace called it quits.</s>GOV. GEORGE WALLACE, ALABAMA: I feel that I must say that I have fought my last political battle, but there's still some personal hills I must climb.</s>WOODS (voice-over): He realized he could not measure up to the rigors of being governor much longer, but he reminded everyone that he participated in leading Alabama out of the old South into what he called the vibrant new Sun Belt. He also hinted briefly that he had paid a high price to stay in politics and he had never made excuses for the shots Arthur Bremmer (ph) riddled into his body 14 years ago. He looked like a man who had fought his final political battle and knew it. All that was left for him to do on this day was to formally acknowledge what a lot of observers anticipated anyway.</s>WALLACE: And now I conclude by telling you that my heart will always belong to Alabama. I expect to be around, the Lord willing, a few more years. But as far as the governmental and political arena, my fellow Alabamans I bid you a fond and affectionate farewell.
CNN 20: George Wallace Retires, April 2, 1986