By Tiffany Williams –
At Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, CT., U.S. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, a Democrat-turned-independent, was remembered Friday by family, friends, and political dignitaries.
The four-term U.S. senator who grew up in Stamford ran for Vice President on a Democratic ticket as Al Gore’s running mate in 2000 becoming the first Jewish candidate on a major-party ticket, and in he 2004 sought the Democratic presidential nomination but lost multiple primaries and withdrew from the race in February.
Sen. Lieberman died on March 27, in New York City, from complications from a fall, according to his family. He was 82.
Lieberman was elected to the Connecticut State Senate in 1970 and served for a decade, spending six of those years as the majority leader.
From 1983 to 1988, Sen. Lieberman was Connecticut’s attorney general.
“Annie and I send our deepest condolences to Hadassah and the Lieberman family. While the senator and I had our political differences, he was a man of integrity and conviction, so our debate about the Iraq War was serious,” Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont said. “I believe we agreed to disagree from a position of principle. When the race was over, we stayed in touch as friends in the best traditions of American democracy. He will be missed.”
“Today we mourn the loss of one of Connecticut’s political icons. Across decades – as a state senator, Connecticut attorney general, and U.S. senator – Joe Lieberman shaped policies that bettered the lives of residents in our state and across the nation,” Connecticut Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “Joe was there to impact critical policies during some of the most pivotal moments in our recent history, whether casting the deciding vote to pass the Affordable Care Act, landmark legislation that has provided more than 21 million Americans access to quality, affordable health care, or introducing the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Repeal Act of 2010. In a post 9/11 era, Joe led legislation that led to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.”
Thursday morning, as President Biden arrived at Joint Base Andrews, on the tarmac before boarding Air Force One to New York, he spoke very briefly about Sen. Lieberman’s passing “He was a good man.” Biden also stated that he’d spoken to Lieberman’s wife.
Aboard Air Force One En Route to New York on Thursday, Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary, confirmed that President Biden spoke to Hadassah Lieberman to express his condolences to her and her family’s loss.
“The President and Senator Lieberman served together in the U.S. Senate for 20 years,” Jean-Pierre said. “Senator Lieberman was principled, steadfast, and unafraid to stand up for what he thought was right.”
In a statement on Thursday, Biden called Sen. Lieberman “Principled, steadfast, and unafraid to stand up for what he thought was right. He was a friend.”
Biden said, “Joe’s fierce spirit of independence is the essence of the American story.”
At Congregation Agudath Sholom at his funeral on Friday, Sen. Lieberman was remembered as a man devoted to his faith and country.
“Joe Lieberman was a giant. He was an original. He was one of one,” said Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy.
“We laughed together, fought like hell together for what we wanted our country to be, prayed together,” said Gore.
Hani Lowenstein, Lieberman’s daughter, said devout Judaism grounded her father with humility.