BIDEN, Joseph Robinette, Jr., a Senator from Delaware; born in Scranton, Lackawanna County, Pa., November 20, 1942; educated at St. Helena’s School, Wilmington, Del., and Archmere Academy, Claymont, Del.; graduated, University of Delaware, Newark, 1965, and Syracuse (N.Y.) University College of Law 1968; admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969 and commenced practice in Wilmington; served on the New Castle County Council 1970-1972; elected as a Democrat to the United States Senate in 1972 and reelected in 1978, 1984, 1990, 1996, 2002, and again in 2008 for the term ending January 3, 2015; chair, Committee on the Judiciary (One Hundredth through One Hundred Third Congresses), Committee on Foreign Relations (One Hundred Seventh Congress [January 3-20, 2001; June 6, 2001-January 3, 2003], One Hundred Tenth Congress); was an unsuccessful candidate for Democratic nomination for president in 2008, but was elected Vice President of the United States on the Democratic ticket headed by Barack Obama in 2008.