Under god. Indivisible. With liberty and justice for all. Hey, everybody, its me, kamala. Before i go on stage later tonight, i want to talk about the importance of voting. I know many of you plan to vote this year, but add midst the excitement and enthusiasm for this election, you heard about obstacles and misinformation and folks making it harder for you to cast your ballot. I think we need to ask ourselves, why dont they want us to vote . Why is there so much effort to silence our voices . And the answer is because when we vote, things change. When we vote, things get better. When we vote, we address the need for all people to be treated with dignity and respect in our country. So each of us needs a plan. A voting plan. Joe and i want to make sure youre prepared. If you text vote to 30330, well help you come up with your plan. And remember deadlines and get ready to vote in your community. So send that text and encourage your family and friends to send one too. Now, lets enjoy another night of inspiration from around our country. Ill see you a little later tonight. And until then, i turn it over to my dear friend and tonights moderator, kerry washington. Welcome to night three of the Democratic National convention. Im honored to be joining you as we continue to celebrate this unconventional convention. Were going to be hearing a lot more from senator harris later, i promise. But first, when i was in seventh or eighth grade we memorized the preamble of the constitution, ive never forgotten it. The first 15 words of our corn sti tugs are we the people of the United States in order to form a more Perfect Union. We say more perfect because our union is not without flaws. When our constitution was written, women couldnt vote. Black people were considered 3 5 of a human being. But therein lies the work. No one is perfect. Nothing is. But it is the striving toward justice, equality and truth that distinguishes us. We fight for a more Perfect Union because we are fighting for the soul of this country. And for our lives. And right now, that fight is real. Tonight we are going to hear from so many phenomenal women who are working to help us build that more Perfect Union. Speaker nancy pelosi, secretary hillary clinton, senator elizabeth warren, governor Michelle Lujan grisham. Were going to see an incredible performance from Jennifer Hudson and a World Premiere performance from billie eilish. Well hear from the activists working to build a more equal, more just future and were going to hear from our 44th president , barack obama. Thats a long way of saying this is going to be an unforgettable night filled with important voices. The most important voice we hope to hear from tonight is the one we need to hear from most. Its yours. If we are going to repair the damage that has been done, if we are going to finally realize the dream, we, the people have to get involved. Each and every one of us is the we. You are the we. Its going to be your voice, your service, your action that helps us create that more Perfect Union. Tonight were going to talk about where we are and where were going on so many issues important to our future. 90 of americans support common sense gun laws because we need to do more to address the epidemic of gun violence. Lets start there. People affected by every day gun violence have to walk by the Street Corner where their best friend, mother, brother nephew were shot. And life goes on and on as if we didnt watch a loved one get shot and put in the grave. Until one of us or all of us stand up and say, i cant do this any more, gun violence isnt just going to stop. Until theres a force fighting harder against it, and im going to do something to prevent it. They say that tougher gun laws do not decrease gun violence. We call b. S. They say a good guy with a gun stops a bad guy with a gun, we call b. S. They say guns are just tools like knives. We call b. S. This is no laws could have been able to prevent the hundreds of senseless tragedies that occurred. We call b. S. That us kids dont know what were talking about, were too young to understand how the government works. We call b. S. What were fighting for will happen. Because were fighting so strongly for it. Were going to make this change. Long before this pandemic, our country has been suffering from the epidemic of gun violence. Gun violence is a Public Health crisis. One that disproportionately affects the black and brown communities. First it was my beloved fiancee. My son, jerry at the pulse shooting in orlando. Seven years later it would be my son. I know exactly the pain, the toll, the heart break of gun violence. My freshman year my high school went into lockdown because a kid brought a gun to school. Weve had to endure live Shooter Training drills. High schoolers have enough to deal with, they shouldnt be concerned about keeping themselves safe at school. Thats the job of the government. We have to end corporate lobbying by the nra. I want a president who will make gun violence prevention a top priority. And i believe joe biden is that person. Rise up and now, mother and activist deandra. In a split second a stray bullet shattered my familys life, he was only 13 years old, he was recognized as a gifted and talented student. Possibilities were endless. He was dancing at a Birthday Party when he was shot in the back left side of his head, shattering his skull. One shot changed our lives forever. Today my dre does not talk, he does not walk. I know he knows me by the smile he shows when i walk in his room. But im unsure if he knows a gunshot has changed his life. Since march ive only been able to see my son three times, i cant touch or hug him due to covid19. People tell me that im lucky. I tell them we are blessed, i remind them that my son is in a wheelchair and unable to feed himself. I dont think deandre feels lucky when he has to be bathed from head to toe or gets injections for muscle contractions. I am in a space of gratitude, yes, i can touch deandre, i can hold his hand, but the child that i birthed is not able to live his dreams, and that hurts. Every day were reminded that he may never be the same. We are not alone. In every town across america, there are families who know what a bullet can do. Thats why my mom who volunteers to stop this, President Trump he doesnt care. He didnt care about the victims after parkland, las vegas, or el paso. I want a president who cares about our pain and grief, a president who will take on the gun lobby to ban assault weapons and close the loopholes to keep guns out of the hands of criminals. Joe biden has taken on the nra twice and won. And he will do it again as president. Ive looked in the eyes of too many parents. And i mean literally scores of them who have lost their children to gun violence. And looked in the eyes of brave young people who survived school shootings. And i made each of them a promise. And i made myself a promise, i promised them, and i promise all of you. I will make this promise today, those families hurting across the country. I will Never Never Never never give up this fight. Out of pain we choose to find meaning. A glimmer of light that lands on a promise. Former congresswoman Gabby Giffords shot in the head from less than three feet away. But she survived. When tragedy strikes, we seek comfort in knowing we arent alone. Join us in this fight. We seek strength to keep fighting, to keep moving forward. We turn to leaders who share our pain. The most difficult times is when we stand closest together. Its out of tragedy that we grow stronger. He was there for me. Hell be there for you too. We are a nation ready to end gun violence. A safer america is possible. But from this point forward, we must choose courage. Ive known the darkest of days. Days of pain and recovery. But confronted by despair ive summoned hope. Confronted by paralysis and ephase ya i responded with grit and determination. I put one foot in front of the other. Ive found one word and i found another. My recovery is a daily fight about but it makes me stronger, words once came easily today i struggle with. But i have not lost my voice. America needs all of us to speak out, even when you have to fight to find the words. We are at a crossroads. We can let the shooting continue or we can act. We can protect our families, our future, we can vote. We can be on the right side of history. We must elect joe biden. He was there for me, hell be there for you too. Join us in this fight. Vote vote vote. Thank you very much. Tonight were going to hear from many change makers who are using their powers for good. Who are working to confront the other epidemics were facing, covid19. Structural racism, Police Violence against black bodies, violence against members of the trans community. We are facing so many challenges. To meet these challenges we will need systematic solutions. We need leaders who can see us, hear us, represent us, all of us. To joe biden, nothing is more important than taking the time to make sure that people are seen, heard and believed in. I was interning in d. C. And i remember i called my grandmother, i said, joe bidens walking by. She says, put him on. I see his staffer going, no, dont take the call. How could i not be endeared to him instantly. He talked to me for the next half hour. I see dana bash from cnn there, she says senator biden will be on in five. He sends her away. He asked me about my sons, about what i did. All i know is, it was all about me, not about him. And then he comes back to me and says, it was lovely talking to your grandmother, and he starts the interview with dana bash. At the very end of his chat with me, he said, could you do me a favor. I said sure, what is it . He said, tell me how i can get your grandsons hair. He was good humored. He was sensitive. And here it is all these years later, and its vivid in my mind. As much as i feel like i got to know him in that moment. It feels like he knows us. I know joe because he listens. And whether hes heard your story or someone elses story, he cares about everyones story. Hell care more about you than hell kash about himself. Well be back in 70 seconds with live speeches from hillary clinton, barack obama and Kamala Harris. The second night, the first subject they just went through gun violence, now Climate Change. Were going to hear from the governor of new mexico. Shes getting ready to speak at this convention. Theyre going through substantive policy issues tonight. Good evening, america, im Michelle Lujan grisham, im proud of my home state every single day, especially how we have punched above our weight in our successful response to covid19. Im proud of new mexicoans who have stepped up and sacrificed in so many ways this past half year, and im proud how we embrace our multicultural identity as our greatest strength. Im proud that new mexico has shown what climate leadership looks like, while the Trump Administration has been eliminating environmental protections, weve expanded them. Weve been taking on polluters and held them accountable. We committed to an exciting Renewable Energy future, including right here in the heart of northern new mexico. Were laying a road map for what america can and should look like in the 21 sf century. An america where we can lead again. Where we provide meaningful opportunities for workers and families to thrive and build better lives. As president , joe biden will rejoin the International Climate agreement, and the United States will once again lead on this critical issue. At home, hell invest in Energy Workers and he will deliver for working families across the u. S. Helping them build meaningful careers while accelerating our nation and world into a clean, green, 21st century and well beyond. We know time is running out to save our planet. We had the chance this november to end two existential crisis, the Trump Presidency and the environmental annihilation he represents. We have the chance this november to attack the Climate Crisis, invest in green 21st century jobs and embrace the Clean Energy Revolution our country. Our young people are crying out for and the leadership the rest of the world is waiting for. The choice is clear. The choice is joe biden. Thank you, america. Hard work, rising to a challenge. The american way. Going to the moon was all three. The eagle has landed. Many astronauts returned home and reported a shift in their awareness, the view they saw of earth from space was profound. The world looked beautiful, tiny, fragile. Our atmosphere is all that separates us from oblivion. We now call what they experienced the overview effect. Here in detroit our communities have faced the burden of pollution. And i think addressing Climate Change gives us an opportunity to correct some of those wrongs and to also invest in our vulnerable communities. Maybe youve read some of the millions of pages of Scientific Evidence on Climate Change. Maybe youve felt it as you walked a neighborhood. Oh, my god, the truck is sink willing. For most people, its overwhelming. All of this with the global warming. A lot of it is a hoax, its a hoax. I spent five years working on this report, the Trump Administration started to remove any mention that humans were the cause of Climate Change for it. I wrote my Resignation Letter just six months into the administration. The Trump Administration has gone all out not to just neglect Climate Change issues and laws, but to reverse them. We have about a decade before its too late. Im a kid, and im going to say to all those adults watching this right now, why dont you get up and do something . Some of the first Climate Change legislation ever written was by a senator from delaware. Donald trump thinks about Climate Change, the only word he can muster is hoax. America faces a challenge. But if we face it together, we will rise to the occasion and build back better. When i think about Climate Change, the word i think of is jobs. Thats joes plan, create millions of new good paying jobs, many of them union, like mine. Invest in critical infrastructure, upgrade millions of buildings. Invest in micro mobility and precision agriculture. A Clean Energy Future that achieves net zero emissions by 2050, because we cant power the economies of the future without investing in the technologies of the future. I think whats really important about joe bidens plan is that 40 of the investment will go to vulnerable communities. We know how to do this. Well do it again, but this time bigger and faster and smarter. Joe wont ignore the crisis. Were seeing what happens when we do that. He wont surrender to the fight. Joes america will lead the world on clean energy. Well lead on job creation and america will lead the world again on climate. I was 13 when the camp fire, the most destructive wildfire in californias history broke out. We were visiting family nearly 100 miles away, but my asthma flaired. Ive been organizing young people around Climate Change since 2018. Climate change is impacting us now, and its robbing my generation of a future. For young people my age, every aspect of our lives, from where we go to school, to what kind of careers well have, to whether or not we can raise a family depends on us taking Climate Change seriously right now. Joe biden wont solve this crisis in four years, no one can. But he will put us back on track so my generation can have a fighting chance. Im asking you to join us. Dont let our futures go up in flames. The corn growers near my parents farm have a saying, knee high by the 4th of july. These years theyre lucky if the corn is even planted. Im adam adamski, us farmers can see the effects of Climate Change right in front of us. Were adopting Sustainable Solutions on my familys farm, using less land and reusing our resources. Were eliminating tons of Carbon Pollution every year. Farmers can be part of the climate solution instead of the problem. Today we can all grow our own future. We need our leaders to be a part of the solution as well instead of part of the problem. We need them to commit to the science, not ignore it. Thats what joe biden is doing with his Clean Energy Revolution, we could lead the world again. I spend a lot of time talking about Climate Change in nevada. The one question i get asked is, what are you doing here . Not a lot of climate activists look like me. Im an afro latina, and im a climate activist. I grew up in a low Income Neighborhood where pollution rates are higher, and a lot of kids have asthma. Switching to Renewable Energy would mean cleaner air, and steadier health. Solar pv installers are some of the Fastest Growing jobs in the country. And joe bidens plan is transformative. He knows that saving the planet isnt just a challenge to overcome, its an opportunity for a better way of life. Are you ready to vote for joe biden . Are you ready to solve the Climate Crisis . Because our futures depend on it. Like the folks we just heard from, next up is another activist and environmentalist, not to mention an immensely talented artist, she worked to ensure that her most recent concert tour was green and sustainable. Urging her fans to take similar actions in their daily lives. Even before she herself was old enough to vote, she held registration drives before her shows signing up thousands of voters. Shes a voice for her generation in both her music and her activism. Here to perform my future publicly for the first time, billie eilish. You dont need me to tell you things are a mess. Donald trump is destroying our country and everything we care about. We need leaders who will solve problems like Climate Change and covid, not deny them. Leaders who will fight against systemic racism and inequality. That starts by voting for someone who understands how much is at stake. Someone whos building a team that shares our values. It starts with voting against donald trump and for joe biden. Silence is not an option, and we cannot sit this one out. We all have to vote like our lives and the world dperepend o it, because they do. The only way to be certain of the future is to make it ourselves. Please register, please vote. I cant seem to focus and you dont seem to notice im not here im just a mirror you check your complexion to find your reflections all alone i had to go cant you hear me do you understand ive changed my plans because i im in love with my future cant wait to meet her and im im in love but not with anybody else just wanna get to know myself i know supposedly im lonely now know im supposed to be unhappy without someone but arent i someone id like to be your answer cause youre so handsome but i know better than to drive you home cause youd invite me in and id be yours again but i im in love with my future and you dont know her and im im in love but not with anybody here ill see you in a couple years billie eilish, thank you. Okay, now were going to talk about something close to my heart, the black community in this country is hugely diverse. On my fathers side i am descended from africanamericans who came from slave ships that landed in South Carolina and who were part of the great migration north that has played such a defining role in who we are as a nation. On my mothers side, my grandparents came here as immigrants, part of a rich history that has also defined america. They immigrated to this country from the west indies, through ellis island in the 1920s. I often think about how my grandmother must have felt when she first saw the statue of liberty and her raised torch. My familys story is not unique. Unless youre native american your family likely came here from somewhere else, whether it was five years ago or 200 years ago, whether it was by choice or by bondage. Etched into the dna of who we are as a nation, is the very idea that though you may be from somewhere else, you can find your home here. But that idea is in danger, now more than ever before. Tell me when i should start reading. Dear donald trump, my name is estella, i am 11 years old, my mom is my best friend. She came to america as a teenager over 20 years without papers in search of a better life. She married my dad who served our country as a marine in south america, africa and iraq. My mom worked hard and paid taxes and the Obama Administration told her she could stay. My dad thought you would protect military families so we voted for you in 2016, mr. President. He says he wont vote for you again after what you did to our family. The wife of a u. S. Marine veteran was departed to mexico. My mom is a good person, and shes not a krcriminal. Now my mom is gone, and shes been taken from us for no reason at all. Every day that passes, you deport more moms and dads and take them away from kids like me. We will begin moving them out day one. You separated thousands of children from their parents and you put them in cages. Some of those kids are now orphans because of you. I dont want them in our country. Theyre animals. Mr. President , my mom is the wife of a proud American Marine and a mother of two american children. We are american families, we need a president who will bring people together not tear them apart. Sincere sincerely, estella. Im lucy sanchez, and this is my mother sylvia and sister jessica, we work hard to build a good life. I was born with spina bifida. That means my spinal cord didnt form as it should. And the doctors in my town said i wouldnt survive, they gave my mother no hope for my future. Im a u. S. Citizen, but my mother is undocumented. I am a dreamer. My mother did what any mother would do to save her babys life. She took my sister in her arms and travelled for days to reach the border. When they got to the water she lifted my sister above the water and crossed. We came to america when i was one year old, she saved my life. My mother had no choice. There was no time to wait to see my sister, she came here looking for a miracle. We were afraid they would find us and detain us, but she had to save her daughter. Her home is here. North carolina is all i know. I qualify for daca, but donald trump took away my ability to apply for the program. We work hard, we contribute to our community and we pay our taxes. Ive gone to school and built a good life for me and my two daughters. I want to help my community, but ever since donald trump was elected all our fears have returned. We dont know if our family will be separated. I dont have the right i. D. , i cant get Health Insurance through the exchange. I need Health Insurance, i deserve it, right . It breaks other hearts to see children separated from their families at the border, thats wrong. Those children need their parents. On november 3rd, im going to vote for my mother, my sister and my daughters. I will vote for a future where all of our lives have dignity and respect. We need a leader who will fix the broken immigration system and commit to keeping our families together. Im voting for joe biden and Kamala Harris. Who are you going to vote for. Theres something unique about america. We dont simply welcome new immigrants. We are born of immigrants. That is who we are. Immigration is our origin story. After all, unless your family is native american, all of our families come from some place else. Mews muse muse. We see our own american stories. Life in america was not always easy. There was discrimination and hardship and poverty. But like you, they no doubt found inspiration in all those who had come before them. They were able to muster that here in america they may build a better life and give their children something more. Tension throughout our history between welcoming or rejecting the stranger is more than just about immigration, its about the meaning of america. What kind of country do we want to be. Immigrants are the teachers who inspire our children. Theyre the doctors who keep us healthy. Theyre the engineers who design our skylines and the artists and entertainers who touch our hearts. Immigrants are soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coast guard, who protect us. We can never say it often or loudly enough, immigrants and refugees revitalize and renew america. Its not something to take for granted. Its something to cherish and to fight for. God bless you. And may god bless the United States of america. When the night has come and the land is dark just as long as you stand stand by and dare lyling darling stand b me oh, stand oh, stand by me i wont shed a tear and darling darling stand by me oh, stand by me oh, stand darling stand by me stand by me and darling darling stand by me oh, stand by me oh, stand darling stand by me stand by me and darling darling stand by me oh, baby wont you stand by me oh, stand darling stand by me stand by me where my latinos at. Come on. Whenever youre in trouble wont you stand by me baby wont you stand by me oh, stand darling stand by me stand by me stand by each other, dont forget to vote this november, together we can make a change. Lets go. That was prince royce, amazing shout out to the boogy down bronx. In the next piece youll hear about the vital role women have played in moving us toward a more Perfect Union and breaking through that Glass Ceiling. And after that, youll hear from secretary Hillary Rodham clinton, the woman who put over 65 million cracks in it. Got to understand what happens from here is in our hands she was called an instigator a rule breaker. And she is called the agitator, the pushy one. The one with attitude. Now is the time for all of us to stand up and say enough is enough. From the ballot box to the factory floor, from her living room to the e. R. , she makes trouble, the good kind. She is the mother who cries out for sensible gun laws. This is about right and wrong. The daughter who believes that equal justice means justice for all. We are america. The child who knows that black lives matter. No justice, no peace. She is our warrior on the front lines, Challenging Authority to make the world safe. Nobody is above the law. Refusing to be told who makes decisions about her body or anyone elses. These women and men of all ages, races and backgrounds dont come to planned parenthood to make a political statement, they come to get quality Affordable Health care. You are disadvantaging her because of her sex. Rise up rise up and she knows that to change the world, you need to change the idea of power. Excuse me, this is my time and i control it. Because we are fighting for you each and every single day. And she knows her voice is heard and amplified by the women she elects to public office. If we want families to succeed, we start by empowering women. When i first got elected, i came to washington, d. C. , to fight for the issues that are so important in our community. We look forward to making sure that this district is finally well represented. The things we ran on going into november, we are doing that. Women dont just fight for women, they fight for families. They fight for fairness, inclusion, justice. To make our nation a more Perfect Union, especially for those people who are the most marginal. If were going to jump start the middle class, we have to ensure that college is affordable. Separation of families and children are detrimental to their health. Give the victims agenda bias in the workplace, the tools they need to seek justice. Women are the most important Political Force in the United States of america. She represents her views on education. Weve got to pay educators more. And weve got to hire more educators. Were going to raise up the profile of teachers and celebrate who they are, and give them better pay. She represents her concerns about health care. Health care is the number one issue in this election every day. Every day. She speaks out on equal pay. Its very frustrating for women everywhere. Because theyre feeling like theyre not getting paid what they should be. And focuses on protecting our children. Lets give parents the peace of mind that their kids are safe and being set up for success. Caring for our seniors and the people who care for them. She keeps this nation going even in challenging times. And while running for office is not easy whats wrong with my running for president of this country. P. We learned a long time ago, you dont get what you dont fight for. And perseveres. This is our time. And previlles. Although we werent able to shatter that highest hardest Glass Ceiling this time, its got about 18 million cracks in it. Record breaking number of women ran in the midterms and won. She builds coalitions and she knows who her allies are. From the fight for health care, to authoring the violence against womens act, to building a society where fairness and equality and opportunity applies to everyone, joe biden knows a stronger america is one that works for women. So go ahead and celebrate you rabble rouser, you rule breaker, you force of nature, our country, our world needs you. Keep rising and vote. The morning after the last election, i said we owe donald trump an open mind and the chance to lead. I meant it. Every president deserves that. And trump came in with so much set up for him, a strong economy, plans for managing crisis, including a pandemic. Yes, we democrats would have disagreed with him on many things, but if he had put his own interests and ego aside, seeing the humanity in a child ripped from her parents at the border or a protester calling for justice, or a family wiped out by natural disaster, that would have been a good thing for america and the world. I wish donald trump knew how to be a president , because America Needs a president right now. Throughout this time of crisis. Americans keep going, checking on neighbors, showing up to jobs as first responders, hospitals, grocery stores, nursing homes. Yes, it still takes a village. And we need leaders equal to this moment of sacrifice and service. We need joe biden and Kamala Harris. Everyone has a story about joes caring and empathy, i remember him calling after my mother died and we talked about being raised by strong women. The best testament to joe is how hes cared for his family, and how great is it that dr. Jill biden plans to keep teaching as first lady. And joe picked the right partner in kamala. Shes relentless in the pursuit of justice and equity, and shes kind. When her press secretary, tyrone gayle was dying of cancer, she dropped everything to be with him in his final moments. I know something about the slings and arrows shell face, believe me, this former District Attorney and attorney general can handle them all. So this is the team to pull our nation back from the brink. But they cant do it i wish i could do it all over again. Or worse. I should have voted. This cant be another would have could have should have election. If you vote by mail, request your ballot now and send it back right away. If you vote in person, do it early. Become a poll worker. Most of all no matter what, vote. As Michelle Obama and Bernie Sanders warned us, if trump is reelected things will get even worse. Thats why we need unity now more than ever. Remember back in 2016 when trump asked what do you have to lose . Well now we know. Our healthcare, our jobs, our loved ones. Our leadership in the world and even our post office. Lets set our sights higher than getting one man out of the white house. Joe biden and Kamala Harris are going to give us so much to vote for. Lets vote for the jobs that joes plan will create. Clean energy jobs to fight Climate Change. Care giving jobs with living wages. Vote for emergency relief that lifts Small Businesses and saves hard working people from foreclosure and eviction. Its wrong that billionaires got 400 billion richer during the pandemic while millions lost 600 a week in extra unemployment. Vote for the parents and teachers struggling to balance childrens education and safety. For healthcare workers fighting covid19 with little hep from the white house. Vote for paid family leave and healthcare for everyone. For Social Security and medicare. And planned parenthood. Vote for dreamers and their families. Vote for law enforcement. Purged of racial bias that keeps all our streets safe. Vote for justice. For george floyd, breonna taylor, and ahmaud arbery. But black lives matter. Vote for honest elections. So we the foreign adversary choose a president. Vote for the diverse, hopeful america we saw in last nights roll call. And dont forget, joe and kamala can win by 3 million votes and still lose. Take it from me. So we need numbers overwhelming. So trump cant sneak or steal his way to victory. Text vote to 30330. To get started. 100 years ago yesterday the 19th amendment to the constitution was ratified. It took seven decades of marching and picketing and going jail to push us closer to a more Perfect Union. 55 years ago john lewis unfinished. Tonight im thinking of the girls and boys who see themselves in americas future because of Kamala Harris. A black woman the daughter of jamaica and indian immigrants and our nominee for Vice President. This is our countrys story. Breaking down barriers and expanding the circle of possibility. To the young people watching, dont give up on america. Despite flaws and problems we have come so far. We can still be a more just, equal country with opportunities previous generations could never have imagined. Theres a lot of heartbreak in america now. The truth is many things were broken before the pandemic. As the saying goes, the world breaks everyone and after wards, many are strong at the broken places. Thats joe biden. He knows how to keep going, unify and lead. Because hes done that for his family and country. So come november, if were strong together, well heal together. Well redeem lt soul and the promise of our country. Led by president joe biden. And Vice President Kamala Harris. Tonight is a night steeped in women who have stepped into service and advocacy and using their power for good. The power of women is undenial. Whether its in the office, in the home, or in the house of representatives. Its my honor to introduce the speaker of the house. Nancy pelosi. I was never raised 234 a way that i would be running for public office. It didnt interest me. When i graduated from college i got married and had five children. In six years of the that was my life. When the children were grown, the opportunity to run for congress came along. She ran because another woman said run. And she won. Starting on the path that would make history. The first woman speaker of the house. For our daughters and granddaughters. Today we have broken the marble ceiling. In her, so many saw themselves. I did feel a real responsibility to other women as i stood on the shoulders of the those who went before. Now it was her turn to say run. And run they did. Winning and making her speaker once again. We didnt have a speaker who would bring to the floor. And a dreamers issue to the floor. We do now. Thats good for every american. But not everyone was on board. Nancy pelosi. Im a moefr five. Grandmother of nine. I know a temper tantrum when i see one. The power of the speaker is awesome. Awesome. If you want to go into the arena you have to be prepared. To take a punch. You have to be prepared to throw a punch. For the children. Throw a punch. For the children. From running the house, to speaker of the house. And taking on the white house. Unapologetic. Unafraid. Madame speaker. Now, please welcome speaker of the United States of the representatives nancy pelosi. Greetings of house democrats. The most diverse majority in history. 60 women, people of color. And lgbtq. Our diversity is strength. Unity is our power. This month as american marks the centennial of women winning the right to vote. 105 women are in the house. Proudly 90 are democrat. To win the vote women march and fought and never gave in. We stand on their shoulders. Charged with caring for the unfinished work of the nation. Advanced by heros. To selma to stone wall. Four years ago, when president obama and Vice President biden were in the white house, they made us proud. And their leadership made the country great. That spirit we come together now. Not to decry the darkness but light a way forward for the country. That is the guiding purpose of house democrats. Fighting for the people. We have sent the senate bill for lower healthcare costs for bigger paychecks and cleaner government. Protecting john lewiss Voting Rights and ep acting George Floyd Justice in the police act. And protect dreamers, lgbtq, prevent gun violence and preserve our planet for future generations and en more. All this is possible for america. Who is standing in the way . Mitch mcconnell and donald trump. Hour nation is the worst het and economic catastrophe in history. 5 million americans are infected by the coronavirus. 170,000 have died. The science based action in the heros act three months ago is essential to safeguard lives and the life of our democracy. And who is standing in the way . Mitch mcconnell and donald trump. Instead of crushing the virus, theyre trying to crush the Affordable Care act and preexisting conditions benefit. Speaker of the house i have been seen firsthand the disrespect for facts and working families and women in particular. Disrespect written into his policies towards health and rights. Not just his conduct. But we know what he does when women succeed, america succeeds. We are unleashing the power of women to take the rightful place in the national life. By champions a womens right tho choose. Securing safe and affordable child care. Preserving Social Security and passing equal pay for equal work. Who is standing in the way . Mitch mcconnell and donald trump. Here is our answer. We will remember in november when we will elect joe biden president who is heart is full of lover for america kp rid the country of trumps heartless disregard for americas goodness. Joe biden faith in god gives him the courage to lead. Joe bidens love gives him strength to persevere. Joe biden is the president we need right now. Battle tested, forward looking and honest. He has never forgotten who he is fighting for. Kamala harris is the Vice President we need right now. Committed to our constitution, brilliant n defending it and witness to the women of the nation our voices will be heard. Our mission is fight for future equal to the ideals of founders. Hopes for our children and the sacrifices of the veterans. Brave men and women in uniform. And their families. Well increase our majority in the house and win a democratic majority in the senate and elect Kamala Harris Vice President. And we will elect joe biden president of the United States of america. God bless you. God bless america. Thank you speaker. The house is the peoples house. And to ensure it stays that way with need everyone to fund the work to elect joe biden and democrats up and down the ballot. If you are able please go to joe biden. Com now and chip in whatever you can to support the campaign. Last year under speakers leadership the house reauthorized the violence against women act. Joe biden wrote that landmark law. Nearly 30 years ago. Since then he and other leaders have built on it. But for all of this work, women are still not entirely safe. So the work must continue. Joe biden knows that and he is committed to doing that work. To making sure that women are safe and to making sure our voices are heard. Lets listen. My name is ruth glen. In 1992 my husband shot me sp left me for dead. For 13 years my son and i had been abused by him. We finally escaped, he tracked us down. There was limited help available back then. And no National Hot Line to call. Local shelters were full. I didnt even know the name for what was happening to me. Domestic violence. Now working to end Domestic Violence is my life work. When i started doing research to play detective on law and order. Over 20 years ago. I was shocked to find out how many people including children experience physical or sexual abuse. This statistics fuels my resolve. And i committed myself to the movement to end this violence. My name is carly. I didnt feel like i could speak out about my experience with Sexual Assault. At the university of i met an incredible force of people working to end the culture of Sexual Assault. I went from survivor to advocate. As the president and ceo of the National Coalition against Domestic Violence. Ive season joe biden passionate loerd ship in passing the violence against women act. Domestic violence rates are rising due to the pandemic. We need congress to reauthorize and enhance that law. We need leaders who believe that a womans life is worth fighting for. Joe biden is that kind of leader. I created the Joyful Heart Foundation to help survivors heal. And to change the way our society responds to sexual violence. The Vice President has worked tirelessly by our side to end the backlog of hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits. And our work will continue. Because testing kits not only makes our country safer, but it sends a vital message to survives that what happened to them matters. The most important thing you can say to a survivor and i hear you. Thats why i became a leader in its on us. Its a program started by Vice President biden to eliminate Sexual Assault on College Campuses and support a new generation of advocates including men and boys. If you are silent you are complicit. And were just getting started. Im voting for joe biden on behalf of all victims and survivors of Domestic Violence. Im voting for joe biden because its on my generation to make sure that we never go back. Im voting for joe biden for my daughter. For my sons. For all of our children. First episode was a slap to the face and he broke hi eardrum. Hunching, kicking, choking. Threatening with a knife or gun. He had always threatened me if i had ever called the police on him. He would kill me. You didnt hear voices like these in the halls of the u. S. Capitol. My husband stabbed me 13 times and broke my neck. While the police were on the scene. I nearly died and i am permanently paralyzed. Senator joe biden invited them to speak. Battered women need to be taken seriously. Proper Police Response can prevent what happened to me from happening to someone else. Thank you. Thank you. At the time, the police considered Domestic Violence something that was not a crime. In the home its a private matter. Women were responsible for their own injuries. I was about to say i know. I dont know. I can only guess how painful that is. Growing up our father said that the greatest of all sins was the abuse of power. He told us a bully when someone bigger or stronger takes advantage of you, that is a really grave sin. The expectation was for all four of us to be a person of character. You see something wrong, we were then expected to stand up. And do something about it. When joe introduced the legislation, few believed it could pass. Our bill is an ambitious under taking. A fairs tempt to address Violent Crimes against women. It was hashd to get the votes. You had traditionalists who didnt believe there should be laws about this. Joe doesnt give up. Hes tenacious. He persevered and good at persuasion. He brought together law enforcement. Prosecutors. Advocates and survivors. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to come and speak. In 1994, the violence against women act became law. And protected millions of american women. A lot of the change in the attitudes woef about Domestic Violence were shaped by his leadership on this. You see something wrong, we were then expected to stand up. And do something about it. If youre just joining us. Welcome. Well hear from president obama. And senator Kamala Harris. Who will talk about the biden harris vision for the future. In order to get to that more Perfect Union we have to acknowledge where we are. Today in america, we are struggling. Unemployment has skyrocketed and families are fighting to keep their jobs. As joe biden says we need to build back better. To find out how you can join that effort, please text join to 30330 to get plugged into the campaign and to get more information on how to vote. And how to volunteer. Joe biden has a plan to help working families and Small Businesses. Our next speaker worked alongside him as secretary of labor to make sure there were Good American jobs and americans were safe on the job. To hear more about the biden harris economic plan, please welco welcome. Hello. The day Vice President biden swore me in as secretary of labor was one of the proudest moments of my life. My parents realize they achieved their american dream. Because a daughter of two blue collar immigrants would make history. And give voice to people just like them. American workers need a fighter now more than ever. And joe biden is that person. Because he has done it before and i have seen it firsthand. He and president obama made it easier for home care workers to organize. They extended over time pay to more than 4 million workers. They saved the Automobile Industry and a lot of Good Union Jobs with it. When millions of families lost their homes, my friend from california, senator Kamala Harris, took on the big banks and won. Because of Donald Trumps failures, we must once again rescue a sinking economy. Millions of americans are out of work and skmucommunities of col are hard hit. Essential workers are putting their lives at work with little protection. And millions are plain tired. Thats why joe biden and Kamala Harris actually have a plan not only to recover what we lost but improve upon it. To build back better. Creating 5 million Good Union Jobs bringing back supply chains to america. That is Building Back better. Creating millions of jobs by investing in clean energy. That is Building Back better. And making sure that working families can afford child care. Thats how we build back better. So let me borrow and slightly edit something joe biden said at my swearing in. When it comes to expanding the economy for all people, no one, no one is going to be a stronger voice than our next president. Joe biden. The conversation youre about to see proves it. Behind every business theres a story. Small businesses around the country are baring the economic brunt of the coronavirus pandemic. Behind every business theres a family. A lot of people clearly are in pain right now. For every farm theres a fight to stay whole. Hard work and heartbreak. Well lose 20 to 30 of the Small Businesses. This is the story of kevin. Family owned business in lake county, ohio. We have ten to 12 employees. On a given day. When covid19 hit, it was a lot of confusion. I remember being scared and being uncertain. Shut down last week. Because we ran out of work. And we had enough to come in for another week. If we dont get additional orders well have to look at another shut down. You cant make a big equipment. We cant cover payroll. Its scary. Youre forgotten. The president bragging ability the stock market and it leaves small Manufacturing Companies behind. We could use help. We get a step forward and two steps back. This is the story of green. Who just started a Clothing Store and covid19 hit. Fashion has been a love of mine for since i was a kid. I worked hard to save money and open this store. Did my Ribbon Cutting december 14 of 2019. And it was booming. And bam. Heres covid19. It was scary. No one was buying anything. My employees are gone. I reached out to my bank. They stated they had no more money. Its gone to a lot of the bigger businesses. The Million Dollar businesses who get the bail out. And a Small Business like myself is just left to struggle. Being an africanamerican female, business owner. Under President Trump, i feel how can i say, alone. Im alone. This is a story of linn. And her two restaurants. One closed. And one still open. Its always hard for restaurants to begin. It would be crowded in here. It was baby and families and crowds outside. Waiting to get in. It was exciting. On the day of the shut down we were actually reviewed in the l. A. Times. On that day, the virus was announced as a global pandemic. It was really sad to see. If we dont turn it around well see this not just be this year. But ghost towns for u. S. The first decision i had to make because 100 people are looking at you. And unfortunately the call was to furlough everybody. At this point i dont see myself in business next month. We dont ask for much from government. Catch us when were falling. And it must feel like youre falling now. Restaurants are among the hardest businesses to succeed at. I was going tide in way that was going to provide a successful career for not only myself and 100 employees. This is the story of dan. Hes a fifty generation farmer struggling to keep his business alive. Im not sure the president understands. He doesnt think about farmers as a business. He has no clue about this stuff. Tell me about the farm. We have been here since 1864. Trade tariffs with china are have been horrible. Part of the language in the trade deal said the china doesnt have to buy unless the price is to their advantage. What kind of trade deal is that . No deal. Covid19 hit and everything plummeted. Getting through now, thats the problem. Thats the daytoday battle. I believe that joe biden will be a clear voice for us. Something that we have not had. Joe biden has an understanding. Of what the average american is experiencing. Hes with me. Enough is enough. Its time to help Small Businesses. Manage through a pandemic. I have a lot of confidence in joe biden. Hes a fightser and the real deal. We have taken a lot of knock downs and we know at the end of the day we will endure. Well rise again. Every time i get knocked down i have to get up and keep running. Keep going. Tonight we have heard from the people who make america work. People who put their lives on the line to keep the country going and since covid19 hit they have taken one gut punch at another. What is the covid19 fall out done to our babies. Im here at the Early Childhood Education Center in massachusetts. Closed for months. Child care was already hard to find before the pandemic. And now, parents are stuck. No idea what schools can safely reopen and fewer child care options. The devastation is enormous. And the way i see it, big problems demand big solutions. I love a good plan. Joe biden has really good plans. Plans to bring back union jobs and manufacturing and create new union jobs in clean energy. Plans to increase Social Security benefits. Cancel billions in student loan debt. And make our bankruptcy laws work for families. Instead of the creditors who cheat them. Plans flekt the central truth. Our Economic System has been rigged to give bail outs to billionaires and kick dirt in the face of everyone else. We can build a thriving economy. By investing in families and fixing whats broken. Joes plan to build back better includes making the wealthy pay their fair share. Holding corporations accountable. Repairing racial inequity and fighting corruption in washington. Let me tell you about one of his plans thats especially close to my heart. Child care. As little girl in oklahoma, what i wanted most in the world was to be a teacher. I loved teaching. When i had babies and was juggling a teaching job down in texas, it was hard. I could do hard. The thing that almost sank me was child care. One night my aunt called to check in. And i thought i was fine. Then, i just broke down and started to cry. I had tried holding it all together. Without reliable child care, working was nearly impossible. When i told her i was going to quit my job, i thought my heart would break. Then she said the words that changed my life. I cant get there tomorrow. Ill come thursday. She arrived with seven suitcases and a dog and stayed for 16 years. I get to be here tonight because of my aunt. I learned a fundamental truth. Nobody makes it on their own. Yet, here we are. Two generations of working parents later. If you have a baby and dont have an aunt b. Youre on your own. Heres my why that is wrong. We build infrastructure like roads and businesses and Communication Systems so people can work. That infrastructure helps us all because it keeps our economy going. Its time to recognize child care is part of the basic infrastructure of the nation. Its infrastructure for families. Joe and kamala will make high quality child care affordable for every family. And raise the wage of every child care worker. Thats just one plan. It gives you an idea of how we get the country working for everyone. Donald trumps ignorance and incompetence have always been a danger to our country. Covid19 was trumps biggest test. He failed miserably. Today, america has the most covid19 deaths in the world and economic collapse. And both crisis are falling hardest on black and brown families. Millions out of work. Millions trapped in cycles of poverty. Millions on the brink of losing their homes. Millions of restaurants and stores hanging by a thread. This crisis is bad. It didnt have to be this way. This crisis is on donald trump and the republicans who enable him. On november 3, we will hold them all accountable. So, whether you are planning to vote wearing mask or vote by mail, please take out your phone right now. And text vote to 30330. We all need to be in the fight to get joe and kamala elected. And after november we all need to stay in the fight to get big things done. We stay in the fight so that when our children and our grandchildren ask what we did during this dark chapter in our nations history. We will be able to look them squarely in the eye and say, we organized, we persisted, we changed america. Former president obama has said that choosing joe biden to be his Vice President was one of the best decisions he ever made and this is a man who has made a lot of good decisions. Making healthcare more affordable and accessible. Rescuing our economy. Protecting american jobs. Marrying Michelle Obama. And through it all, joe biden was by his side. Except for marrying michelle. You can witness their Mutual Respect and affection in this clip. Take a look. So, joe, for your faith in your fellow americans, for your love of country, and for your lifetime of service that will endure through the generations. Id like to ask the military aid to join us on stage. For the final time as president , im pleased to award the nations highest civilian honor. President ial medal of freedom. [ applause ] and for the first and only time in my presidency i will bestow this medal with additional level of honor my three most recent successors reserved for only three others. Pope john paul the second. President reagan and general powell. Ladies and gentlemen im proud to award the president ial medal of freedom with distinction. To my brother, joseph r. Biden jr. Will the aid please read the citation . Vice president , joe biden jr. In a career of Public Service spanning nearly half a century. Vice president joseph biden jr. Left his mark on almost every part of the nation. Fighting for a stronger middle class. A fair judicial system and a smarter foreign policy. Providing unyielding support for the troops. Combatting crime and violence against women. Leading our quest to cure cancer. And safeguarding the lantd mark, american recovery and renvrsment act from corruption. With his charm, candor and optimism and patriotism. Joe biden garnered the respect and esteem of colleagues of both parties. And the friendship of people across the nation and around the world. Summoning the strength, faith and grace to overcome great personal tragedy. The son of scranton, and wilmington has become one of the most consequential president s in american history. Accolade that rests behind his legacy as husband, father and grandfather. A grateful nation thanks Vice President joe biden for his lifetime of service on behalf of the United States of america. [ applause ] good evening, everybody. As you see my now this isnt a normal convention. Its not a normal time. So, tonight i want to talk as plainly as i can about the stakes in this election. Because what we do these next 76 days will echo through generations to come. Im in philadelphia where our constitution was drafted and signed. It wasnt a perfect document. It allowed for the inhumanity of slavery. And failed to guarantee women and even men who didnt own property the right to participate in the political process. Imbedded in this document was a north star that would guide future generations. A system of representative government. A democracy. To which we could better realize our highest ideals. Through civil war and bitter struggles we improved this constitution. To include the voices of those who once been left out. Gradually we made the country more just. And more equal. And more free. The one Constitutional Office elected by all of the people is the presidency. So minimum we should expect a president to feel a sense of responsibility for the safety and welfare of all 330 million of us. Regardless of what we look like. How we worship. Who we love. How much money we have. Or who we voted for. We should also expect a president to be the custodian of the democracy. We should expect that regardless of ego and ambition or political belief, the president will preserve, protect and defend the freedoms and ideals that so Many Americans marched for. Went to jail for. Fought for and died for. I have sat in the oval office with both of the men who are running for president. I never expected my successor would embrace my vision or continue my policies. I did hope for the sake of our country that donald trump might show some interest in taking the job seriously. That he might come to feel the weight of the office. And discover some reverence for the democracy that had been placed in his care. He never did. For close to four years now he has shown no interest in putting in the work. No interest in finding common ground. No interest in using the awesome power of the office to help anyone but himself and his friends. No interest in treating the presidency as anything but one more reality show that he can use to get the attention he craves. Donald trump hasnt grown into the job. Because he cant. The consequences of that failure o severe. 170,000 americans dead. Millions of jobs gone. Those at the top take in more than ever. Or worst impulses unleashed. Proud reputation around the world badly diminished. And our Democratic Institutions threatened like never before. Now, i know that in times of polarized as these most of you have made up your mind. Maybe youre still not sure which candidate youll vote for. Or whether youll vote at all. Maybe youre tired of the direction were headed. But you cant see a better path yet. Or just dont know enough about the person who wants to lead us there. Let me tell you about my friend. Joe biden. 12 years ago when i began my search for Vice President , i didnt know id end up finding a brother. Joe and i come from different places, different generations. But what i quickly came to admire about joe biden is his resilience. Born of too much struggle. His empathy. Too much grief. Joe is man who learned early onto treat every person he meets with respect. And dignity. Living by the words his parents taught him. No one is better than you. Youre better than nobody. That empathy, that decency, the belief that everybody counts. Thats who joe is. When he talks with someone who lost their job, he remembers the night his father sat him down to say he lost his. When joe listens to a parent who is trying to hold it all together right now, he does it as a single dad who took the train back to wilmington each and every night to tuck his kids into bed. When he meets with military families, who lost their hero. He does it as a kindred spirit. Parent of an american soldier. Somebody who is faith endured the hardest loss there is. For eight years joe was the last one in the room whenever i faced a big decision. He made me a better president. And hes got the character and the experience to make us a better country. And in my friend Kamala Harris hes chosen ideal partner. Who is more than prepared for the job. Someone who knows what its like to overcome barriers and made a career fighting to help others live out their own american dream. Along with the experience needed to get things done. Joe and kamala have concrete policies to turn a vision of a better fairer, stronger country into reality. They will get this pandemic under control. Like joe did when he helped me manage h 1 n 1 and prevent ebola from reaching the shores. Expand healthcare to more americans like joe and i did ten years. When he helped the Affordable Care act and nail down votes to make it law. Rescue the economy. After the great recession. I asked him to manage the recovery act which jump started the longest stretch of job growth in history. He sees this moment now not as a chance to get back to where we were, but to make long over due changes so our economy actually makes life a little easier for everybody. Whether its the waitress trying to raise a kid on her own. Or the shift worker always on the edge of getting laid off. Or the student figuring out how to pay for next semesters classes. Joe and cam will will restore the standing in the world and we have learned from the pandemic, that matters. Joe knows the world and the world knows him. He knows that our true strength comes from setting an example. The world wants to follow. A nation that stands with democracy not dictators. A nation that can inspire and mobilize others to over come threats like Climate Change and terrorism. Poverty and disease. More than anything, what i know about joe, what i know about kamala, is that they actually care about every american. And that they cared deeply about this democracy. They believe that in a democracy, the right to vote is sacred and we should be making it ease your for people to cast a ballot. Not harder. They believe that no one including the president is above the law. And no public official including the president should use the office to enrich themselves or their supporters. They understand that in this democracy, the commander in chief doesnt use the men and women of the military who are willing to risk everything to protect our nation as political props to deploy against peaceful protestors on our own soil. They understand that political opponents arent unamerican. Just because they disagree with you. A free press isnt the enemy. But the way we hold officials accountable. That our ability to Work Together to solve big problems like a pandemic depend on facts. And science and logic. And not just making stuff up. None of this should be controversial. These shouldnt be republican principles or democratic principles they are american principles. At this moment, this president and those who enable him have shown they dont believe in these things. Tonight im asking you to believe. In joe and kamalas ability to lead the country out of the dark times and build it back better. Heres the thing, no single american can fix this country alone. Not even a president. Democracy was never meant to be transactional. Give me your vote and i make everything better. It requires an active and informed citizen. So im also asking you to believe in your own ability. To embrace your responsibility as citizens. To make sure that the basic tenants of our democracy endure. Because that is whats at stake right now. Our democracy. Look, i understand why a lot of americans are down on government. The way the rules have been set up and abused in Congress Make it easier for special interest to stop progress than to make progress. Believe me, i know it. I understand why a white factory worker who seen wages cut or job shift over seas might feel like the government no longer looks out for him. Why a black mom might feel like it never looked out for her at all. I understand why a new immigrant might look around and wonder whether theres still a place for him here. Why a young person might look at politics right now. The circus of it all. The meanness and lies. And conspiracy theories and think what is the point . Heres the point. This president and those in power, those who benefit from keeping things the way they are, they are counting on your cynicism. They know they cant win you over with the policy. Theyre hoping to make it as hard as possible for you to vote. And convince you that your vote doesnt matter. That is how they win. That is how they keep to get making decisions that effect your life. And the lives of the people you love. Thats how the economy will keep getting skewed to the wealthy and kwelkted. How the Health System will let more people fall through the cracks. Thats how a democracy withers. Until its no democracy at all. We cannot let that happen. Do not let them take away your power. Do not let them take away your democracy. Make a plan right now for how you are going to get involved and vote. Do it as early as you can and tell your family and friends how they can vote too. Do what americans have done for over two centuries when faced with even tougher times than this. All the quiet heros who kept marching. And kept pushing in the face of hardship and injustice. Last month we lost a giant of american democracy. In john lewis. And some years ago i sat down with him and a few remaining leaders of the early Civil Rights Movement. One of them told me he never imagined he would walk into the white house and see a president who looked like his grandson. Then, he told me he looked it up. It turned out that on the very day that i was born, he was marching in to a jail cell. Trying to end jim crow segregation in the south. What we do echoes through generations. Whatever our backgrounds we are all the children of the americans who fought the good fight. The great grandparents who working in fire traps and sweat shops without rights or representation. Farmers losing their dreams to dust. Irish and italians and asians and latinos told go back where you come from. Jews and catholics, muslims and sikhs made to feel suspect for the way they worship. Black americans chained and whipped. And hanged. Spit on for trying to sit at lunch counters. Beaten for trying to vote. If anyone had a right to believe that this democracy didnt work and could not work, it was those americans. Our ancestors. They were on the receiving end of a democracy that had fallen short all their lives. They knew how far the daily reality of america strayed from the men. And instead of giing up, they joined together. They said somehow, some way we are going to make this work. We are going to bring those words in our founding documents to life. I have seen that same spirit rising these past few years. Folks of every age and background who packed city centers and airports and rural roads so families wouldnt be separated. So that another classroom wouldnt get shot up. So that our kids wont grow up on an uninhabitable planet. Americans have all races joining together to declare in the face of injustice. And brutality at the hands of the state. That black lives matter. No more but no less. So no child in the country feels the continuing sting of racism. To the young people who led us this summer telling us we need to be better, in so many ways you are this countrys dreams fulfilled. Earlier generations had to be persuaded that everyone has equal worth. For you its a given. A conviction. What i want you to know is that for all its messiness and frustrations, your system of selfgovernment can be harnessed to help you realize those convictions. For all of us. You can give our Democracy New meaning. You can take it to a better place. Youre the missing ingredient. The ones who will decide whether or not america becomes the country that fully lives up to its creed. That work will continue long after this election. But any chance of success depends entirely on the out come of the election. This administration has shown it will tear democracy down. If thats what it takes for them to win. So we have to get busy. Building it up. By pouring all our efforts into these 76 days. And by voting like never before. For joe and kamala. And candidates up and down the ticket. So that we leave no doubt about what this country that we love stands for. Today and for all our days to come. Stay safe. God bless you. Thank you, president obama. For your brilliant leadership. Joe biden has chosen an extraordinary woman to be his running mate. Kamala harris is a fighter and a trail blazer using her Ground Breaking ideas to protect families and keep them together by reducing recidivism. Im so thrilled for her to become the Vice President of the United States. Now please welcome our Convention Chair congressman automatic delegates will nominate the democratic candidate for Vice President. In a accordance with the rules, Vice President biden has nominated senator Kamala Harris as his Vice President candidate. Our rules further provide that if only one candidate is nominate td for Vice President , the chair is authorized to declare the nominee the democratic candidate for Vice President. As such, with only one nomination received i hereby declare Kamala Harris is elected as the democratic candidate for Vice President. Im pleased to report Vice President candidate Kamala Harris has been invited to deliver an acceptance speech. Kamala harris is my aunt. My step mom. My big sister. Which means youll always be my older sister. Theres some things we want to share with you. To my brother and me youll always be mom. The worlds greatest step mom. My role model. I can do and be anything i wanted. My very first friend, my confident my partner in mischief and justice. Youre a rock. Not just for our dad, but for three generations or our big blended family. You showed me the importance of Public Service and made sure i grew up surrounded by smart, strong and ambitious women. Every day. Growing up, having helped the poor kid who picked on me. My big sister would be there in a flash ready to have my tobaba. Now we have your back. As you fight to protect democracy gl theres no union more perfect than the one that brings us to the Kitchen Table every sunday night for stir try and dinners. Youre showing my daughters and so many girls around the world who look like them whats possible. And what its like to move through the world as fierce, formidable, phenomenal women in their own unique way. I love you. I admire you. I am so proud of you. And even though mom is not here to see her first daughter step into history. The entire nation will see in your strength, your integrity, your intelligence, and your optimism. The values that she raised us with. We love you. Were so proud of you. You mean the world to us, kamala. We could not be more excited to share you with the world. As the next. As the next. Vice president. Vice president of the United States. Joe biden has selected Kamala Harris as his running mate. The first black woman, first south asian woman to be named on the democratic ticket. Someone who looks like us. On a president ial ticket. Thats crazy. Kamala harris is us. She was born in oakland. Daughter of immigrants. The daughter of sham la. Big sister and protector. She is an hbcu grad. A woman of many firsts. Shes a hard worker. A really hard worker. Shes brilliant. Shes smart. Shes tough. Shes got a big future. Kamala harris is like a dream to me. Senator harris cares about people. Theres no doubt about it. When she says for the people, it is every ounce of who she is. Shes for us. Shes for us. She fights for womens rights. She fights to end mass incarceration. She is a fearless advocate for the voiceless. The litmus test for america is how we are treating black women. Now, im talking about someone that can fight for black people, brown people, undocumented people. Lgbt people. Disabled people. Young people. Old people. All of america. Its about all of us knowing our power, each of us, to lift people up, right, and to remind them that we see them and that we hear them and that they matter. [ cheers and applause ] youre going to be Vice President of the United States . Greetings, america. It is truly an honor to be speaking with you tonight. That i am here tonight is a testament to the dedication of generations before me. Women and men who believed so fiercely in the promise of equality, liberty and justice for all. This week marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment, and we celebrate the women who fought for that right. Yet so many of the black women who helped secure that victory were still prohibited from voting long after its ratification. But they were undeterred. Without fanfare or recognition, they organized and testified and rallied and marched and fought not just for their vote but for a seat at the table. These women and the generations that followed worked to make democracy and opportunity real in the lives of all of us who followed. They paved the way for the trailblazing leadership of barack obama and hillary clinton. And these Women Inspired us to pick up the torch and fight on. Women like mary church terrell. Mary cloid ma thune. Fanny lou haimer and diane nash. Constance baker motley and the great shirley chism. Were not often taught their stories, but as americans we all stand on their shoulders. And theres another one whose name isnt known, whose story isnt shared, another woman whose shoulders i stand on. And thats my mother. Shamala harris. She came here from india at age 19 to pursue her dream of curing cancer. At the university of california berkeley, she met my father, donald harris, who had come from jamaica to study economics. They fell in love in that most american way while marching together for justice in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. In the streets of oakland and berkeley, i got a strollers eye view of people getting into what the great john lewis called good trouble. When i was 5, my parents split and my mother raised us mostly on her own. Like so many mothers she worked around the clock to make it work. Packing lunches before we woke up and paying bills after we went to bed. Helping us with home work at the Kitchen Table and shuttling us to work for choir practice. She made it look easy though it never was. My mother instilled in my sister maya and me the values that would chart the course of our lives. She raised us to be proud, strong black women and she raised us to know and be proud of our indian heritage. She taught us to put family first. The family youre born into and the family you choose. Family is my husband doug, who i met on a blind date set up by my best friend. Family is our beautiful children, cole and ella, who call me mamala. Family is my sister. Family is my best friend. My nieces and my godchildren. Family is my uncles, my aunts, and my chitis. Family is mrs. Shelton, my second mother who lived two doors down and helped raise me. Family is my beloved alpha kappa alpha, our divine 9 and my hbcu brothers and sisters. Family is the friends i turn to when my mother, the most important person in my life, passed away from cancer. And even as she taught us to keep our family at the center of our world, she also pushed us to see a world beyond ourselves. She taught us to be conscious and compassionate about the struggles of all people. To believe Public Service is a noble cause and the fight for justice is a shared responsibility. That led me to become a lawyer, a District Attorney, attorney general and a United States senator. And at every step of the way, ive been guided by the words i spoke from the first time i stood in a courtroom. Kamala harris for the people. I have fought for children and survivors of Sexual Assault. I fought against transnational criminal organizations. I took on the biggest banks and helped take down one of the biggest forprofit colleges. I know a predator when i see one. My mother taught me that service to others gives life purpose and meaning. And, oh, how i wish she were here tonight, but i know shes looking down on me from above. I keep thinking about that 25yearold indian woman, all of 5 feet tall, who gave birth to me at keizer hospital in oakland, california. On that day she probably could have never imagined that i would be standing before you now and speaking these words. I accept your nomination for Vice President of the United States of america. I do so committed to the values she taught me. To the word that teaches me to walk by faith and not by sight. And to a vision passed on through generations of americans, one that joe biden shares, a vision of our nation as a beloved community where all are welcome no matter what we look like, no matter where we come from or who we love. A country where we may not agree on every detail, but we are united by the fundamental belief that every human being is of infinite worth deserving of compassion, dignity and respect. A country where we look out for one another, where we rise and fall as one. Where we face our challenges and celebrate our triumphs together. Today that country feels distant. Donald trumps failure of leadership has cost lives and livelihoods. If youre a parent struggling with your childs Remote Learning or youre a teacher struggling on the other side of that screen, you know what were doing right now is not working. And we are a nation that is grieving. Grieving the loss of life, the loss of jobs, the loss of opportunities, the loss of normalcy, and, yes, the loss of certainty. And while this virus touches us all, we got to be honest, it is not an equal opportunity offender. Black, latino and Indigenous People are suffering and dying disproportionately. And this is not a coincidence. It is the effect of structural racism. Of inequities in education and technology, health care and housing, job security and transportation. The injustice in reproductive and Maternal Health care and the excessive use of force by police pup and , and in our broader criminal justice system
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