LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Senator Pete Domenici retires after more than 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate. Many say Dominici did much for the country, state and NMSU.

The Domenici public policy conference at New Mexico State University wrapped up Thursday with U.S. Senator Chris Dodd from Connecticut.

There were lots of thank you's, laughs and respect shared on stage at NMSU, all for a senator who many New Mexicans said has done a lot for his state and country.

Senator Pete Domenici retired after more than 30 years of service in the U.S. Senate.

He said he's not disappearing from the public eye, but he just hasn't pinpointed exactly what he will do.

“I have to find something to channel. I have an enthusiastic and energetic brain and as long as my body percolates I’ve got to find ways to use it,” said Domenici. But the senator said an illness discovered last year with brain deficiencies helped him make his decision to retire, but he also said there is more to do with policy, the economy and health care.

Domenici legacy co-chair Garry Carruthers said the legacy does so much for NMSU and the entire state.

“When you're borrowing the prestige of a Senator Domenici it makes your university move up a considerable amount,” said Carruthers.

He said it's more than a yearly conference. It's a transformation for the university.

“We’re in the process of archiving all of his papers and there are tons of those we'll do the conference again but we're also in the process of designing what will be the Domenici building and that should be coming along fair soon,” said Carruthers.

The institute is what he is looking forward to most.

Former NMSU president Michael Martin said the event is larger than it was originally designed to be.

Domenici said life will be different, but he loved all of his work.

“I'll wake up and I won't be entitled to be called senator anymore, I guess, and when I move around New Mexico I won't be Senator Pete, I don't think.”

The Domenici conference wraps up Friday, but is expected to be an annual event.

The event will end with a free concert by country music star Randy Travis.