Biden to accept posthumous award from Kosovo for son Beau

President Biden on Sunday will accept an award on behalf of his late son, Beau Biden, for his work strengthening the justice system in Kosovo during his time in the U.S. military.

Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani will posthumously recognize Beau Biden with the Presidential Medal on the Rule of Law during a ceremony in the republic’s legislative building. The award will recognize Beau Biden for his time spent there following the Kosovo War in which he worked with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to train judges and prosecutors to strengthen the justice system after the republic gained its independence.

“At the time, Kosovo still bore the fresh wounds of war and a justice system hollowed out by decades of totalitarian rule,” President Biden will say in a pre-taped video message. “But Beau could see what you could do. Beau could see even then the future that was possible for your proud country.”

Biden delivered his remarks accepting the award on Beau Biden’s honor from the White House. Beau Biden’s children are standing just off camera in the video, the president said.

“We’re grateful to all the people of Kosovo, who Beau fell in love with. So much so that he believed so deeply in your independence and your democracy,” the president said.

Biden expressed support for Kosovo’s young government, acknowledging more must be done to root out corruption there and protect the rights of ethnic and religious minorities. He vowed the U.S. would be a partner for Kosovo in those efforts.

Beau Biden, the president’s oldest son, died in 2015 from brain cancer. The president speaks frequently about his late son, his military service and his influence on the Biden family.

Kosovo in 2016 renamed a highway after Beau Biden in recognition of his work following the war.