Brain cancer takes Beau Biden

Reflections on the loss of a soldier, father and local hero.

Here is John Watson’s commentary:

As I’m sure you all know by now, former Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden has died. When I heard about it, I thought, “Another one? What happens next?”

I remember vividly the death of his mother and baby sister in a car accident in December 1972. Beau and his brother, Hunter, recovered from head injuries in the hospital.

Needless to say, Vice President Biden was reportedly stunned at the death of another child. And, as a father who lost his first child, a beautiful baby girl just six months old, I know some of how he feels.

Being the son of former Senator Joe Biden inspired Beau’s political ambitions. He lost no time running for two terms as Delaware Attorney General, and then said he would run for Delaware Governor in 2016.

It’s reported he was praised nationally, for an August 2008 speech nominating his father for vice president at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. In his speech, he reminded the convention members that his dad had always been there for him, his brother and sister. Beau went on to ask the audience to “be there for my dad as he was for me”, since, as a member of the Delaware National Guard, he would soon be leaving for Iraq.

As a reporter and talk show host, I got to know lots of officials, including Senator Biden and his son Beau. I remember that Beau dressed in a casual manner when he came for an interview and he always brought his son with him; sometimes allowing him to talk on the mic.

During his 8 years in office as the Delaware Attorney General, Beau increased prosecutions related to child sexual abuse, getting 214 convictions through a Child Predator Task Force. He also worked to make it easier for former prison inmates to get a good job, so they could earn a proper place in society again. He fought hard against recidivism.

I don’t know about you, but I think there is a very special place in heaven for Delaware’s Attorney General, Beau Biden.

 

 

John Watson is a long time observer of Wilmington and Delaware from his perch as a radio talkshow host. You can write him: JohnWatson1506@comcast.net