Biden, Harris give first speeches as president-elect and vice president-elect
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By Jenna Ingalls |
Staff writer
President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris gave their first speeches on Saturday, Nov. 7, after winning the 2020 election.
“Democracy is not a state, it is an act,” said Harris, quoting the late civil rights activist and Georgia Congressman John Lewis. “Protecting our democracy takes struggle, it takes sacrifice. But there is joy in it and there is progress because we the people have the power to build a better future.”
“While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last,” said Harris, who made history to not only be the first woman elected to be vice president, but first black or southeast Asian person to be elected into the esteemed position.
Harris noted that though her late mother may not have dreamed of seeing her daughter in this position, she knew that her mother believed in an America where a woman of color could be in the white house. The Biden-Harris white house says it will be committed to giving all American’s equal opportunities for success regardless of race, gender, age, sexuality, religious background or disability.
Biden notes his commitment to unity throughout his speech, “I will work as hard for the people who did not vote for me as those who did.” He acknowledge the political divisiveness of the current political climate of America, but asked Americans to give one another a chance. Instead of viewing the opposing side as enemies, view them as fellow Americans.
Biden shared that he will be announcing a team of scientists on Monday, Nov. 9, to create a COVID-19 before he gets into office. He says that his work starts with getting the epidemic under control.
The president-elect closed his speech with a hymn: “And he will raise you up on eagle’s wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand.”
Contact Jenna Ingalls at JEINGALLS@augusta.edu.
