Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., who will serve as the White House chief of staff in the Obama administration, will resign his seat in the House of Representatives effective January 2.

Emanuel's staff today released a copy of his resignation letter to embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who previously held the 5th congressional district seat and who must call a special election to replace Emanuel. Emanuel's staff also released the text of an automated call from Emanuel to constituents telling those who hadn't heard yet that he's going to the White House and thanking them for electing him.

The letter to Blagojevich is courteous and doesn't betray the tension surrounding the governor's corruption scandal. Emanuel notes in his letter that both he and Blagojevich are sons of immigrants and as such can appreciate a tradition of rewarding people who are willing to work hard and sacrifice, a notion Emanuel said he'll take with him to the administration. His letter also says special interests hold too much sway in Washington and that the election "was a clarion call for a change in direction, so we can recapture the values that have made our nation a beacon of hope and opportunity."