![]() You used to be able to be joined - the Southern Governors’ Conference with the Mid-Atlantic Conference. And when I was elected, I ran initially for the group - with a group I joined, a group of senior members of the United States of the Delaware Democratic establishment to reform the Democratic Party, because we were more a southern Democratic Party than a northeastern Democratic Party. And I left and tried to - sought a job as a public defender to represent the people I used to work with in the - as a kid in high school and college.Īnd so, I came to the United States Senate with a passion to do something about civil rights. And after being home for six months, I couldn’t do it anymore. King’s assassination and the riots that took place in my home state.Īnd I had a job with one of the oldest law firms in the state - a “white shoe,” as they used to call the law firm. ![]() And we were the only city in America occupied by the National Guard for 10 months, with every corner being occupied by National Guard members with a drawn bayonet because of Dr. I got involved in politics indirectly by getting involved in the Civil Rights Movement as a kid, being the only white employee in east side of Wilmington, an area called “The Bucket,” for years.Īnd I was asked by a group of senior Democrats would I - I was a young lawyer when I came back from law school. We have the eighth-largest Black population in America as a percent of population in Delaware. I was involved - my state, it was a great shame, was segregated by law. I had not intended to run for the United States Senate. The great American novelist Edith Wharton wrote, “There are two ways of spreading light: to be a candle or the mirror that reflects it.” Fritz was both the candle and the mirror, in my view - a candle spreading light and the mirror reflecting it.Īnd today, I speak of a friend of five decades, about that light - the light of friendship and what it meant to me personally, to my family.įritz and I first met in one of the darkest moments of my life. You know, a great American who - but he also had a lot of great Americans write about him and write things that related to him without them even knowing it. Fritz was a giant in American political history. You know, Reverend Hart-Andersen, members of Congress and our military, distinguished guests most of all, the Mondale family - Ted and William, and Rebecca and Chan all the grandchildren - Louis, Amanda, Berit, Charlotte, Cassandra, Danielle and all the dear friends of the family that are here as well, because he always talked about you all as family: I’m - I’m moved to be with you here today as an - honor one of the great giants in American history. Most people know, most of all, everybody was blessed to know him in this state. And it’s the biggest industry.īut Fritz was always committed not merely to the work of his lifetime, which all of you are familiar with. A hell of a lot more chickens than people. Delaware, my state, has a - and the Delmarva Peninsula has a $5 billion industry: chickens. (Laughter and applause.)Īnd it always surprised Fritz I knew a little about agriculture. (Laughter.)īy supplying the eggs, the chicken made a contribution. He’d say, “On the breakfast plate, what’s the difference between the eggs and the bacon?” Senator Smith and Klobuchar know the answer. You know, there was a question that Fritz famously asked staffers who came to work for him. I could be wrong, but I never heard him talk about it. Fritz had a special way about him that I don’t think he would talk about. And because everything is based on seniority in the Senate, I got to hang out with folks like Fritz and Hubert long before you’d ordinarily at my age - because by the time I was there a second term, I was chairman of some major committees.Īnd so, I’m going to talk more today about Fritz and what he pretend didn’t exist but Fritz’s - Fritz’s sense of empathy. You know, I served with Fritz a long time. But as my Grandfather Finnegan would say, “That’s the Irish of it.” You know, we got a chance to talk with the family a little bit earlier and trying to console them, and I got emotional. What Fritz is really saying looking down is, “Joe, hide your Irish Catholic enthusiasm a little bit and be more Norwegian.” (Laughter.)Ī generous introduction. ![]() Get Involved Show submenu for “Get Involved””.The White House Show submenu for “The White House””.Office of the United States Trade Representative.Office of Science and Technology Policy.Executive Offices Show submenu for “Executive Offices””.Administration Show submenu for “Administration””. ![]()
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