"My mother was a brilliant, five foot tall, brown woman with an accent," Harris said. "And as the eldest child, I saw how the world would sometimes treat her. But my mother never lost her cool. She was tough, courageous, a trailblazer in the fight for women's health, and she taught Maya and me a lesson that Michelle mentioned the other night: She taught us to never complain about injustice, but do something about it."

"That was my mother -- and she also taught us, and 'never do anything half-a--ed.' And that is a direct quote."

from the time she stepped foot on stage to being able to begin her speech in earnest, three minutes passed as the crowd cheered her on.

"Let's get to business," she said at one point, laughing and thanking the audience.

Harris thanked her husband, second gentleman Doug Emhoff, for being an "incredible" partner and father and wished him a happy 10th anniversary as he watched her from the crowd.

"I love you so very much," she said.

The vice president thanked Biden for his service nothing that "history will show and your character is inspiring."