Delaware Sen. Joe Biden choked up while delivering remarks to his state's delegation during a breakfast at the Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colo., Tuesday, becoming emotional as he thanked the group for sticking with him through thick and thin.

Biden -- who was elected at age 30 and was the fifth youngest elected senator in U.S. history -- wiped away tears as he called his state delegation "family."

"The thing I got to say to you all, it's a corny sounding thing. ... I don't know whether I would have made it through a lot of the tough times in my life without you guys. I mean it sincerely. I'm not gonna start naming people, but there've been people in this room who when the significant events of my life occurred were literally knocking on my door, were bringing, you know, you know, you know, a roasted chicken to the house because you knew things were so messed up, no one was able to think about eating," he said.

Biden was elected to his first term in the Senate in November 1972. In December of that year, his wife and daughter were killed in a car accident while out Christmas shopping. His two sons were injured.  In January 1973, Biden was sworn in to the U.S. Senate at the bedside of his still-convalescing sons.

"There were people who were there, I could go around the room, and a lot of people aren't here in this room, would just come by, pick up the boys and they'd take them. Take them to everything from the beach to the amusement park. This is a big deal. You're a big deal," Biden said to the group.

Biden said that while his expected vice presidential nomination is a tremendous honor, it "pales in comparison to the honor I've had representing you."

"I just want you to know, the only reason I accepted the nomination, one reason: so the Delaware delegation could be moved up front," Biden said.  "As that old joke goes, how 'bout them seats, huh?"

Biden, who is remarried and has a daughter with his second wife, also expressed his enthusiasm in joining presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama as his running mate, saying he is glad to be part of a team.

"I've sort of a been a one-man band, you know. But I tell you, the reception Barack and Michelle have given Jill and me ... wasn't that the most incredible speech you ever heard last night?" he said, referring to Michelle Obama's address Monday on opening night of the Democratic National Convention.

Biden is expected to deliver his nomination acceptance speech on Wednesday.

FOX News' Aaron Bruns contributed to this report.