Biden hails Lieberman’s ‘fierce spirit of independence,’ efforts to repeal ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’

US President Joe Biden issues a statement eulogizing former Democratic US vice presidential nominee Joe Lieberman, with whom he served in the Senate for 20 years.

“He was principled, steadfast, and unafraid to stand up for what he thought was right. He was a friend,” Biden says.

“Joe’s fierce spirit of independence is the essence of the American story. He was the grandson of immigrants; his dad ran a small business; and Joe was the first in his family to graduate from college. After law school, he quickly left a law firm job for a life of public service,” the president continues.

“As a leader in Connecticut’s legislature, as state Attorney General, and as a committed Senate colleague, Joe championed the environment, gun safety and reproductive freedom. He wrote landmark legislation repealing discriminatory restrictions on LGBTQ Americans serving in our military. He played a key role in the creation of the Department of Homeland Security in the wake of 9/11.”

“His historic bid for the vice presidency, as the first Jewish candidate on a major party ticket, took our nation one step closer to realizing the full promise of America,” Biden says.

“Joe believed in a shared purpose of serving something bigger than ourselves. He lived the values of his faith as he worked to repair the wounds of the world.”

“Jewish liturgy says of ‘those who serve the needs of the community faithfully, may God grant them their reward,'” Biden adds.