Delaware leaders react to death of Beau Biden

Delaware state, New Castle County, and city of Wilmington flags are at half-staff in honor of former Attorney General Beau Biden.

 

The eldest son of Vice President Joe Biden lost his battle with brain cancer Saturday night at Walter Reed Army Hospital, the family announced.

Prayers were said Sunday morning at St. Joseph on the Brandywine, the Catholic Church where Beau Biden attended Mass as often as he could.

Delaware leaders from both parties are offering condolences.

U.S. Sen. Tom Carper:

“I first met Beau when he was six years old.  He was the son that any of us would be proud to call our own. It’s been a privilege to watch him grow up and become a leader in our state and in the Delaware National Guard.

My last memory of Beau was during the Return Day Parade in Georgetown, Delaware two days after last November’s election. I was walking along the parade route shaking hands with people just as Beau passed by, standing in a National Guard vehicle, waving at the crowd.  For a moment, our eyes met, he waved to me and I to him. Then, he mouthed these words to me, ‘I love you.’ I smiled and returned them to him. And, he was gone.”

My heart is breaking for the Biden family. Beau represented all that is good about Delaware and our country. I will miss him greatly.

— Senator Tom Carper (@SenatorCarper) May 31, 2015

Delaware Governor Jack Markell said Beau Biden was “the most popular elected official in the state, and that’s because he earned it.”

“He earned it by virtue of his hard work and by virtue of his being a really good guy,” Markell told our Tom MacDonald. “He treated people well, no matter what their walk of life was he was respectful to everybody. He was passionated about what he did. It’s an incredible loss.”

Markell also spoke of Biden’s zeal for protecting young people in the First State:

“He was a very effective attorney general, absolutely passionate about protecting children from predators. He made that clear from the moment that he announced for attorney general, and it’s what he worked on every day when he was attorney general.”

“Beau was also a friend.  He was unfailingly interested in the well being of Carla, my kids and my extended family.  My entire family is shattered by his death,” Markell said.

New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon has been friends with the Biden family since the early days of Joe Biden’s political career in Delaware politics.  He had also remained in touch with Beau.

“We have lost a young man who was beautiful in so many ways, from his life as a family man to the life of service he chose to follow in the footsteps of his father. This is truly heartbreaking.”

U.S. Sen. Chris Coons:

“Throughout his life, Beau never shied away from doing the right thing, even when it meant doing the hard thing. Beau served his country and community with honor, and that’s how he will be remembered.”

Beau Biden was an extraordinary father, husband, son, & public servant, but above all, he was a good and decent man. http://t.co/PpbM4yYhE7

— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) May 31, 2015

U.S. Rep. John Carney:

“It’s one of those times when you imagine if you try hard enough, the news somehow won’t be true. There are no words deep enough to express our sense of loss. He leaves a legacy of service, and also a great personal legacy that calls on each of us to be more gentle in our judgments and more gracious with our thanks. He was one of the best of the good guys.”

Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams:

“It was an honor to serve alongside him as he worked tirelessly to fight for the powerless and protect the most vulnerable, our children.”

Wilmington City Council President Theo Gregory:

“On behalf of our City Council Members and Council staff, I express condolences to Hallie and the children, to Vice-President Biden and Dr. Biden, the entire Biden family and Beau’s many friends. He served his state and country with distinction.”

The current Delaware Attorney General is Matt Denn.  

“Our kids were about the same age, and more than anyone else I knew in politics, he appreciated the importance of taking care of his family before worrying about work or elections.   It is a great loss to the state, but more importantly a crushing loss for his family, which needs all of our support.​”

Delaware Republican Party Chairman Charles Copeland:

“Beau served his country and the citizens of Delaware with honor and dignity. He leaves behind a lasting impact on the world around him. He will be missed.”