Joe Biden and John Boehner win Laetare Medal

The University of Notre Dame announced that this year’s Laetare Medal will be awarded jointly to vice-president Joe Biden, a Democrat, and former speaker of the house John Boehner, a Republican.

“We live in a toxic political environment where poisonous invective and partisan gamesmanship pass for political leadership,” said university president Fr John Jenkins.

“Public confidence in government is at historic lows, and cynicism is high. It is a good time to remind ourselves what lives dedicated to genuine public service in politics look like. We find it in the lives of vice-president Biden and speaker Boehner.” The awards will be made at the school’s graduation ceremonies in May.

Vice-president Biden will be retiring from public office when his term expires next January.

Speaker Boehner retired from Congress last October after being forced out as speaker by conservatives in his own Republican caucus. Last September, both men sat behind Pope Francis when he delivered an address to the US Congress.

Fr Jenkins alluded to the Pope’s call for legislators to work for the common good in his announcement, saying, “In recognising both men, Notre Dame is not endorsing the policy positions of either, but celebrating two lives dedicated to keeping our democratic institutions working for the common good through dialogue focused on the issues and responsible compromise.”