“On this historic day, when former Vice President Joe Biden prepares to formally accept the Democratic nomination for president, the Frank Church Institute honors his decades of work in public service and most especially in concert with Senator Frank Church,” said Garry Wenske.
Bethine and Senator Frank Church were mentors to the young Senator Biden when his wife and daughter were killed in an automobile crash soon after his election to the Senate. Biden worked closely with Church on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Senator (and later Vice President) Biden has remained an “honorary member” of the Board of Directors of the Frank Church Institute for many years.
In 2010, Vice President Biden was awarded the Frank and Bethine Church Award for Public Service.
Cutline: Vice President Joe Biden greeted Bethine Church during his visit to Boise State University to present the awards at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in 2009.