CG Events

Celebrating America's Birthday

Jerusalem
July 3, 2006

Consul General Walles gives a speech.

4th of July Reception Remarks (as prepared)

CONSUL GENERAL WALLES: Distinguished guests, friends, and colleagues.

Thank you for joining us today in celebrating the 230th anniversary of the signing of the American Declaration of Independence and the birth of the United States of America. It means a great deal to me and to my colleagues at the Consulate that you have come here to celebrate this event with us. I understand these days seem uncertain and I appreciate that your attendance tonight is a sign of friendship. I want to particularly thank those sponsors who have helped us to make this event possible. Without their participation, we would not have been able to entertain you so well.

Celebrating the Fourth of July is an important tradition for Americans. We gather together at picnics, grill hot dogs, consume large amounts of watermelon, and, of course, watch fireworks. Another tradition is for public officials to make long speeches at July 4th celebrations. However, do not be alarmed, I do not plan to follow that particular tradition.

Tonight, I would like to briefly reflect on why Americans have these Fourth of July traditions – why we celebrate the Declaration of Independence with such enthusiasm. I know there will be some who will try to interpret my remarks tonight as a commentary on current events, or on the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. I would encourage you not to do so; I’m speaking tonight as an American citizen reflecting on our traditions and our history. There is no agenda here.

More than any other American holiday – Thanksgiving, Presidents’ Day, Labor Day – the Fourth of July stirs the hearts of Americans. The signing of the Declaration of Independence characterizes how Americans think of themselves – as strong and independent people.

Let me go back to the Declaration of Independence itself and quote those most famous words that define the principles Americans hold most dear – that all people are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed. Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I think this is what 4th of July celebrations are all about. Life … liberty … and the pursuit of happiness.

Every American holds these principles dearly in his heart. We all believe we have the right to live our lives freely and to pursue happiness in the way we choose. This is why we celebrate the Fourth of July with such passion, to honor the gift of freedom.

It was such a passion for freedom that drove the men who founded the United States. Men like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, who together were the main driving force behind the birth of the United States of America. It was Adams who wore himself out arguing for Independence, leading the debate among the delegates to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in that hot summer of 1776. Jefferson labored over drafting the document we know as the Declaration of Independence, choosing his words carefully and with great deliberation, knowing this document would be carefully scrutinized then and in the future. Both went on diplomatic missions in Europe to gain support for the fledgling country. And both men later went on to serve as President of the United States.

Without such passionate patriots to found and lead the United States in its early years, Americans would not know the security and individual freedom that we enjoy today.

When Americans celebrate the Fourth of July, we are celebrating men like Adams and Jefferson and the dedication they showed so that 230 years later Americans would still be assured the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is worth noting that Adams and Jefferson – rivals in their day and friends later in life -both died on the same day – July 4, 1826 – exactly 50 years after the signing of the document they created. Jefferson died first at his home in Virginia. Adams died later in the day in Massachusetts. In that age before telephones, television or the internet, Adams died thinking that Jefferson had outlived him.

Americans honor their memory and the gift they gave us by gathering together each Fourth of July to proclaim ourselves as a united nation once again, a nation still committed to the principles that all people are created equal and that all should enjoy the right to lead their lives freely.

I thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate the United States of America. And I thank you for letting me share with you some thoughts and feelings about this holiday. I am sorry we don’t have fireworks for you tonight, but by joining us, you are helping us to fulfill at least one tradition – that of gathering with friends to honor our nation’s birth and remember her forefathers.

Thank you.