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First Posted: 10/14/2012

The United States president and vice president don’t get elected by themselves, it takes the work of a lot of people behind the scenes to get that job done. And, earlier last week, Jill Biden, Ed.D., the wife of United States Vice President Joe Biden, took a moment to show her appreciation to all those who have volunteered their time for this upcoming election.

The second lady paid a visit to the Scranton and Hazleton campaign field offices on Monday, Oct. 1, as part of a two-day visit to Pennsylvania that was part of a voter registration drive in advance of Tuesday’s voter registration deadline.

Biden acknowledged and thanked all the volunteers for the hard work they’ve put into this campaign in support of her husband, Joe Biden, and President Barack Obama.

“I want to start by thanking everyone here,” said Biden.

“I’ve been out the last few weeks, and I’ve seen all the energy and the enthusiasm that’s out there this year for this election, just like is in this room today. And, I know that this election is connecting with people in a real way. It’s about people’s lives, and it’s no different for me either. Even if Joe’s name were not on the ballot, I would still be working hard for this election.”

Biden went on to encourage volunteers to continue working hard during the crucial weeks ahead.

“After the registration deadline, go out and talk to your friends, go out and talk to your neighbors, sign up to volunteer, to canvass, to make phone calls. Whatever it is, we have to keep moving this country forward, and you’re going to do that for us,” said Biden.

Following her comments, Biden took a moment to meet and pose for photos with anyone who was interested.

“I thought she was just going to speak and go,” said Scranton resident Kevin Rutkowski. “She has to be somewhere else, I know that, but she actually stood here and talked to people, and I got my picture with her. So, hey, I’m happy. I got her autograph, I’m happy with that. It was a good day.”

For some in attendance, Monday’s event brought back memories of candidates they met in campaigns past. Like for Patrick Joyce, a Moosic resident and retired Riverside High School teacher.

“In 1968, Hubert Humphrey was running for president against Nixon,” recalled Joyce. “I was a high school sophomore in Pittston Area, living in Avoca, and I remember walking up to the airport, of course I had to put on my best suit, which is what we did then. I walked up to the airport and as Vice President Humphrey was descending the stairs onto the tarmac, I greeted him, shook his hand, walked him to the car, opened and closed the door, and I still have the campaign button he took off his jacket and gave to me.”

“That really got me going as a young adult, and then later on I worked for just about every Democratic candidate that I had time to work for.”

Now that he’s retired, Joyce joked that he practically lives at the Scranton field office and has found ways to incorporate his other interests into the campaign.

A cyclist, Joyce has started to cycle to different campaign offices throughout the state, including offices in Hazleton, State College, Lewisburg, Williamsport and Stroudsburg, to bring attention to the campaign.

“If you want to bring your message out, sometimes a different venue (helps),” said Joyce. “When you’re coming by on a high performance bike with Obama signs on the side, it gets people’s attention.”