BOSTON (AP) — U.S. Sen. John Kerry is launching a farewell tour of Massachusetts before formally stepping down from the office he’s held for nearly three decades to become secretary of state.

Kerry will start the tour with a visit to the YouthBuild USA office in Springfield Thursday before stopping in Worcester to thank local residents during an event at Holy Cross college.

Kerry winds up his “thank you” tour at Boston’s Faneuil Hall where he’ll meet with constituents before delivering a farewell address at 6 p.m.

Kerry was first elected in 1984.

On Wednesday, Kerry gave a farewell speech to fellow lawmakers in the Senate chamber.

He became emotional when he tapped on his desk and remarked that it had been used by both John F. Kennedy and Edward M. Kennedy