Letters to Joe: Messages, words of wisdom and thanks as Biden leaves the White House

President Biden,

I’m honored to join thousands of our neighbors in thanking you for a lifetime of service to us, our state, and our country.

You are the definition of a true patriot, and you have led the most accomplished administration we’ve seen in my lifetime. Under your leadership, we have historic employment across the country, we’ve made critical investments in addressing climate change and we’ve bolstered economic opportunity for millions of Americans.

But I’ve been lucky to see you champion working families, and equity over my whole life — as my Senator, Vice President, and over the last three and a half years as President. In that time, you have proven that we can do big things together that make a real difference in the lives of Americans, from Wilmington to Scranton and beyond — and through it all, you have shown how decent, kind, and selfless you are.

Nearly 250 years ago, Delaware became the first state to sign on to the journey that is America. In the centuries since our small state has come to realize that the promise of our Constitution is only possible when we respect our differences and resolve our disagreements through conversation and collaboration. Through the power of our proximity here in this state, we have come to see our fellow citizens as neighbors with shared hopes and a common destiny. We know that the divisions and nastiness that we too often see nationally must not — and does not have to — be our new normal. That a different kind of politics is possible: a politics of hope, not of hate; of grace, not of grievance; of progress, not of pettiness.

This is the legacy you leave us with, as Delawareans and as Americans. It is a legacy that we are all called to honor especially now.

My heart is full of love for you, Jill, and the entire Biden family. Whenever I think of your legacy I am filled with love and adoration for Beau — who taught me that there is no better quality in a public servant than authenticity. Beau was always the same sweet, kind, and generous man behind closed doors as he was in front of a crowd. I count myself lucky to have gotten to know you through the eyes of your son, Beau.

When I won my race for Congress this fall, you called me to say that you got a message from heaven from Beau: “Beau’s looking down from heaven, congratulating you.” I’ll always remember that call from you. Mr. President, I know that today and every day Beau is proud of you.

At this moment in America’s journey, hope sometimes feels hard to come by, your legacy reminds us that we must never forget that we are the beneficiaries of seemingly impossible change becoming a reality; that it’s always been in our country’s most significant challenges that we take our biggest steps forward. Because no matter what obstacles stand in our way, so long as we breathe, we hope – and, together, we can once again turn that hope into historic progress.

It’s easy to be cynical but you, Mr. President, have never done that — you have shown us that in facing the most impossible of circumstances, we always have the propensity to take our biggest steps forward. Now more than ever, we need to channel that hope and determination to build on the work you have accomplished.

Mr. President, yes, you showed me how to be a good public servant and how to serve our state with integrity, grit, and decency. More than that, you showed me how to summon courage and hope after tremendous personal loss. That is a gift that I will always treasure.

It’s only fitting that I’m writing this letter on the Amtrak. Mr. President, welcome home. You will always be my idol.

Sincerely,

Congresswoman Sarah McBride