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Good night.
Congressman John Lewis, before his passing, wrote: “Democracy is not a state. It’s an act. ”And what he meant was that America’s democracy is not guaranteed. It is only as strong as our will to fight for it, protect it, and never take it for granted. And protecting our democracy requires struggle. It requires sacrifice.
There is joy in it and there is progress. Because we, the people, have the power to build a better future. And when our own democracy was on the ballot in this election, with the very soul of America at stake and the world watching, you ushered in a new day for America.
To our campaign staff and volunteers, this extraordinary team, thank you for bringing more people than ever to the democratic process and for making this victory possible.
To the poll workers and election officials of our country who have worked tirelessly to make sure every vote is counted: our nation owes you a debt of gratitude for protecting the integrity of our democracy.
And to the American people who make up our beautiful country, thank you for coming in record numbers to make your voice heard.
I know times have been challenging, especially the last few months. The pain, the sadness and the pain. The concerns and the struggles. But we have also witnessed his courage, his endurance and the generosity of his spirit.
For four years, you marched and organized for equality and justice, for our lives and for our planet. And then, you voted. You sent a clear message.
You chose hope, unity, decency, science and, yes, truth. You elected Joe Biden as the next president of the United States of America.
Joe is a healer. A unifier. Tested and firm hand. A person whose own experience of loss gives them a sense of purpose that will help us, as a nation, regain our own sense of purpose.
And a man with a big heart, who loves with abandon. It’s his love for Jill, who will be an incredible first lady. It’s her love for Hunter, Ashley, her grandchildren, and the entire Biden family.
And even though I first met Joe as Vice President, I really got to know him as the father who loved Beau, my dear friend, whom we remember here today. To my husband Doug, our children Cole and Ella, my sister Maya, and our entire family: I love you all more than I can express. We are so grateful to Joe and Jill for welcoming our family to theirs on this incredible journey.
And to the woman most responsible for my presence here today: my mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, who is always in our hearts. When you came here from India at the age of 19, you may not have imagined this moment. But she believed deeply in an America where a moment like this is possible.
So I’m thinking of her and generations of women: black women.
Asian, White, Latina, and Native American women throughout our nation’s history who have paved the way for this moment tonight. Women who fought and sacrificed so much for equality, freedom and justice for all, including black women, who are too often ignored, but often shown to be the backbone of our democracy.
All the women who worked to secure and protect the right to vote for more than a century: 100 years ago with the 19th Amendment, 55 years ago with the Voting Rights Act, and now, in 2020, with a new generation of women in our country. who cast their votes and continued the fight for their fundamental right to vote and be heard.
Tonight, I reflect on his struggle, his determination and the strength of his vision – to see what can be alleviated for what has been – I stand on his shoulders. And what a testament to Joe’s character he had the audacity to break down one of the most substantial barriers in our country and select a woman as his vice president.
But while I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last.
Because every girl who looks tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities. And to the children of our country, regardless of their gender, our country has sent a clear message: dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and look at yourself in a way that others may not see you, simply because they have never seen. before.
And we will applaud him every step of the way.
To the American people: No matter who you voted for, I will strive to be the Vice President that Joe was to President Obama: loyal, honest, and prepared, waking up every day thinking of you and your families.
Because now is when the real work begins.
Hard work. The necessary work. The good work. The essential job to save lives and defeat this pandemic. Rebuild our economy so it works for workers. Eradicate systemic racism in our justice system and society. To combat the climate crisis. Unite our country and heal the soul of our nation.
The road ahead will not be easy. But the United States is ready. And so did Joe and me.
We have elected a president who represents the best of us. A leader that the world will respect and that our children will be able to look up to. A commander-in-chief who will respect our troops and keep our country safe. And a president for all Americans.
It is now a great honor for me to introduce the President-elect of the United States of America, Joe Biden.
