Orrin Hatch: “it is an honor for me to rise and talk about our friendship and what you have done for this country. I rise today to pay…”

“it is an honor for me to rise and talk about our friendship and what you have done for this country. I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated public servant, distinguished leader, and dear friend, Vice President Joe Biden. For more than three decades, I had the distinct privilege of serving alongside Joe in the U.S. Senate. As anyone who worked closely with Joe can tell you, he was no ordinary Senator. He had boundless energy and undeniable charm. He paired an unmatched work ethic with a disarming smile that dared you not to smile back. Joe's innate ability to befriend anyone--and I mean anyone, including his fiercest political opponents--was critical to his success as a legislator. His genuine sincerity endeared him to all, and his gregariousness transcended partisan boundaries. Even in the most polarizing debates, Joe never let politics stand in the way of friendship. One minute Joe could be scolding you from the Senate floor, and the next minute he could be hugging you in the hallway, cracking jokes and asking about your grandkids. I am, of course, speaking from plenty of personal experience. It is no secret that Joe and I often found ourselves on opposite sides of almost every major issue--that is not quite true. We agreed on a lot of things. In countless legislative battles, Joe proved himself to be a worthy political opponent and an able sparring partner.…”