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From Levi Rickert
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Local election 2024. CHICAGO – President Joe Biden addressed his party supporters Monday night at the 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. It will likely be his last major speech before he leaves the presidency in five months.
Biden, hailed as the best president for Indian Country in American history, spoke to a packed crowd at Chicago’s United Center. This convention will be the 12th time Democrats have met in the Windy City, which hosted the nominating conventions three times for Franklin Roosevelt and twice for Adaili Stevenson.
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Monday night was a historic day, as it marked the passing of the torch from Biden to Vice President Kamala Harris, who served him with devotion and will formally accept the nomination on Thursday evening.
Biden was greeted with a standing ovation and thunderous applause from the crowd while waving “We Love Joe” signs, leaving him speechless for nearly five minutes. Several spectators had tears in their eyes.
“Let me ask you: Are you ready to vote for freedom? Are you ready to vote for democracy and for America? Let me ask you: Are you ready to vote for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz?” Biden asked.
Biden listed his many accomplishments since taking office, including containing the Covid-19 pandemic, creating record-breaking jobs and passing the infrastructure bill.
He mentioned the $900 increase in Pell Grants, which provided billions of dollars in support to black colleges and universities, including Hispanic institutions and tribal colleges.
The president was interrupted several times during his speech by chants from the audience: “Thank you, Joe! Thank you, Joe! Thank you, Joe!” Biden often responded with “Thank you, Kamala.”
The President stressed that we must work to preserve democracy.
“It is with a grateful heart that I stand before you now, on this August night, to report that democracy has prevailed,” Biden said. “Democracy has delivered, and now democracy must be preserved.”
In his closing remarks, Biden told America that he had given the country his best.
“Each of us has a part in American history. For me and my family, there is a song that means a lot to us and captures the best of who we are as a nation. The song is called ‘American Anthem.’ There’s one verse that stands out and I can’t really sing it, so I’m not even going to try. I’m just going to quote it.
“The work and prayers of centuries have brought us to this day. What shall our legacy be? What will our children say? Let me know in my heart when my days are done. America, America, I have given you my best.”
The evening ended with the Biden family joining the Harris family on stage, marking the passing of the torch to a new generation of leaders.
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