Former Vice President Joe Biden Announces Candidacy ...3 of 6 >
JILL BIDEN: ...thank you.  It's so great to be home.  As many of you may know, I grew up right [inaud.] Willow Grove.

Every single weekend my four sisters and I would pile into the family station wagon and cross the  [ ] Bridge to go to see my grandparents in Southern Jersey.

My summers were spent watching the Phillies with my dad  [inaud.]

I love you too.

I watched the Mummer's Parade and took class trips to Fels Planetarium, the Betsy Ross House and the Liberty Bell.

I'm an Upper Moreland Golden Bear and a Philadelphia Wildcat.  I ran the Broad Street 10-miller and forever Fly, Eagles, Fly.

So as you can see, this city is part of who I am, and no matter where I go or where I am, I wll always and forever be a Philly girl.

Over the last two years, so many of you have come up to me at events, in airports, in the grocery store, even on the street, and said the same thing: Please tell Joe he has to run.

People have said that they miss his statesmanship, his ability to find common ground.

They miss his diplomacy and his deep experience working with our allies around the world.

They miss his courage to confront issues that matter, when no one else seems to care.  Like his lifesaving work on the Violence Against Women Act.

But it's not jjust that they miss his leadership; they miss his kindness, the way he inspires us to keep believing that our best days are yet to come.  His ability to face tragedy and not give in or give up.  His character.  His love for our nation.

Again and again people have told me, Joe is the one who can move us forward.  Joe is the one who can bring us together.  We need him.

And you know what?  I agree.

I miss that feeling of hope and optimism too.

But you know what, Philly?  Today we begin to restore that feeling.

This moment defines who we are.  It's a moment that we need to hear your voices.  It's a moment when we need leaders with vision and character.  It's a moment for someone who can bring us together.  It's a moment for Joe Biden.

We are starting an enormous journey today.  The Biden family is ready.  And we will do this as we always have: as a family.   And we know that all of you are with us too.

We know that every person who told me that they wanted Joe to run is going to do their part.  We know you're going to talk to your neighbors, text your friends, knock on doors, ge them to the polls.  We need you.  Alll those little things add up.  Together we will build this movement and together we will win.

For as long as I've known him, Joe has never given up, never failed to see the possiblities, and never had any doubt about who he's fighting for.

As long as he has the privilege of serving this nation, I know from the bottom of my heart that he will continue to fight for you every day.  So let's do this.  Please welcome my husband, Joe Biden.
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