COLUMBIA, S.C. - House Speaker David Wilkins joked about the House's worst-kept secret Thursday as he told legislators he hopes to head north in the months ahead to become U.S. ambassador to Canada.

President Bush tapped him for the ambassador post Wednesday night - a couple of hours after House members stayed in session longer than usual in hopes to hear the announcement from the White House.

Wilkins had tried - with little success - to get legislators and reporters to drop the hot topic.

"You'll recall I've been telling you for the last couple of months not to believe all that speculation and all those rumors," Wilkins told the House on Thursday. "Uh, you can go ahead and believe them now."

Wilkins, if confirmed by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, would replace Paul Cellucci, who left the post last month. The Canada job is a diplomatic plum with the United States' largest trading partner and a job that offers political and professional dividends.

Wilkins told the House he and his wife, Susan, are "very appreciative to President Bush for his confidence and his trust. ... We feel very fortunate to be given this wonderful opportunity."

Parting isn't easy, he said. "I can't tell you hard it is for me to - or how hard it's going to be - for me to tell you goodbye to all of you. I will really, really, really miss all of you," Wilkins said.

But until the U.S. Senate approves him "you're stuck with me," Wilkins said.

It typically takes two to four months for confirmations. Wilkins says he expects to be wielding the speaker's gavel until the House session ends on June 2.

The House and Senate would have to agree to a special session to allow the House to elect a new speaker after adjournment. If that doesn't happen, the speaker's office could be vacant until the General Assembly returns in January.

The House applauded Wilkins for a full minute after he spoke, a sign of admiration for his 25 years in the House.

"You all have a nice day. I'm going to Canada," Wilkins said.