Lying In Honor preparations for Beau Biden
The state of Delaware was busy on Wednesday to get the Capital ready for what is expected to be a major historical event in the First State. Thursday afternoon the body of Beau Biden, the 44th Attorney General of Delaware, will be brought to Legislative Hall to lie in state.
DELdot officials are warning folks that at 11:30 on Thursday morning all roads surrounding legislative hall will be closed. The list of streets include, Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd at the intersection of the Family Court Building, Federal Street from East Water Street to North Street, Federal Street from North Street to Loockerman Street, Legislative Avenue from East Water Street to Loockerman Street, Duke of York Street from Legislative Avenue to Federal Street, and William Penn Street from Federal Street to Legislative Avenue.
If you plan to attend and pay your respects, DELdot recommends leaving items such as purses, cameras and jackets in the car primarily for safety reasons. Although this is taking place in the first state, we’re told events will be handled as if it was Washington D.C. because the Vice President of the United States, Joe Biden, along with other important national figures are expected to be in attendance. There will be a number of security checkpoints throughout the area.
Governor Jack Markell plans to share brief remarks about Biden and prior to the event his office released the following statement to 47 ABC:
“Tomorrow’s service will give Delawareans who have known Beau since he was a young child, or who have watched him grow up – or grew up with him – who admired his work, or viewed him as a mentor, an opportunity to pay their respects to the family and say goodbye to a friend.”
June is typically a busy time for law makers in the first state but legislative session has been suspended for this solemn day. Senator Chris Coons also announced plans to postpone a town hall meeting on Friday and released the following statement:
“Hi, I’m Senator Chris Coons thank you so much for your interest in attending our Town Hall event with Congressman John Lewis this Friday in Wilmington. I’ve spoken with Congressman Lewis over the past few days, and we have decided to postpone this event in order pay our respects to the Biden family and to celebrate the life of Beau Biden, one of the finest men Delaware has ever known. Once we’re able to reschedule the event with Congressman Lewis, we’ll make all the details available and we very much look forward to seeing you then. Thank you for your understanding and please continue to keep the Biden family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.”
47 ABC also had the chance to speak with Delawares Secretary of Finance, Thomas Cook.
Cook tells 47 ABC, “It’s a special honor for a special person, I mean, he really touched the lives of the citizens in the state. It’s certainly a great opportunity for the citizens to pay their respects to the family.”
