President Biden Tells Joliet: 'Let's Go Spread The Faith'

JOLIET, IL — A smiling, cheering and energized crowd of 300 to 400 people packed into the Jones Elementary School gym in the Minooka area of far west Joliet on Saturday morning for a historic event — President Joe Biden gave a 23-minute speech with three days to go until Tuesday's midterm elections.

Before Biden took the podium, the crowd heard from Illinois' most powerful Democrats: Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, as well as Congresswoman Lauren Underwood. The crowd was reminded how Republican U.S. Senators, notably Rick Scott in Florida and Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, are trying to get rid of Social Security and Medicare and use that money so that big corporations and businesses won't have to pay any taxes.

Shortly before 11 a.m., Biden walked on the stage to an enthusiastic audience and remarked, "Please, have a seat ... I was at a big rally not long ago, last year, and I said everybody, take a seat, and the press said Biden's so stupid he didn't even know they didn't have any chairs!"

After everyone laughed, Biden announced, "Well, hello Joliet! Thanks for that introduction, you know, there's millions, millions of women and men ... all across America who are struggling and worried every day about how they can take care of themselves and take care of their needs, particularly in the area of health. You have one of the best Congressional delegations in America."

As his speech continued, Biden proclaimed, "We're making real progress thanks to people like Lauren and the rest of your delegation. I said, she's a nurse at heart. She'll protect Social Security and Medicare, take on big pharma(ceuticals) and lower drug prices, make American health care a right, just not a privilege.

"All of you, all of you, are the reason I've never before more optimistic about America. We just have to remember who in God's name we are. We are the United States of America," Biden said with emphasis.

As people began clapping and whistling, Biden raised his voice and declared, "We're the only nation in the world that has come out of every crisis stronger than when we went in. The only one, because of who we are ... we've gotta step up. We've gotta make sure we're protecting the American people. Basic fundamental rights, they're in jeopardy. Right now, we have a few more days, three more days. If you haven't already voted and an awful lot of you have, make sure you have voted, come knock on your neighbor's door, take him to the polls, help him out, convince him to work, convince him to show up and vote.

"I'll take my chances, Democrat or Republican, if they haven't voted, but have them vote, because they know what's going on, they really do."

Before ending his speech, Biden had this to say: "But folks, it's been a great honor to be able to work with your delegation. I hope to God I'm able to continue to do that for at least the next two years, and maybe beyond that. But in the meantime, keep the faith. Every time I walked out of my Grandpa Finnegan's home up in Scranton, he'd yell, 'Joey, keep the faith!'" Biden raised his voice as the crowd laughed.

As people began clapping, Biden continued with the story, saying, "My grandmother would yell, 'No Joey, spread it! Let's go spread the faith," Biden declared.

Before Biden was introduced, Durbin talked about the insurrection attempt at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

"One hundred forty members of law enforcement were injured by these, by this mob and demonstrators, six lives were lost in the process," Durbin explained. "This was not just another political visit. It was an effort to subvert our Constitution. We know that Joe Biden would never do that. And that's why we respect his presidency and that's why when he says he swears to uphold and defend the Constitution, he can prove it by his actions."