Embassy of the United States

Speeches & Remarks 2008

On the Occasion of the 232^nd Anniversary
Of the Independence of the United States of America
Ambassador David C. Mulford
Roosevelt House
Diplomatic Reception
July 4, 2008

Honorable Ambassadors,
Members of the United States Congress
Colleagues and Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Fellow Americans,
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentleman

Good Evening.  On behalf of everyone who is part of the United States Mission to India, my wife Jeannie and I welcome you to the Roosevelt House this evening and thank you for joining us to celebrate 232 years of American independence.  We are also proud to call attention to the 61st anniversary of US-Indian ties that we are marking this year. 

This is the fifth year and last year that we have had the opportunity to hear Nilu Dorschner sing the American and Indian national anthems. We do this because she sings beautifully but also because she is living testimony of the ties that bind our two great countries together. We are fortunate to continue to have her as part of our Embassy community while her husband Jon serves in Iraq. 

Today all across the US, Americans will be celebrating our national holiday, none more so than President George W. Bush.  And as his personal representative to India it is my honor to pass along his Independence Day greetings.

For Jeannie and me the Fourth of July is America's greatest holiday.  We both grew up in small town America where this day is America's day for Americans of every description.

This was the day that America declared its Independence, not the day, or all the days, it took to win that freedom.

This will be our last 4^th of July serving in India.  It has been a privilege and a great honor to represent the United States of America in India, to serve in this remarkable country and to see and feel our relationship growing in every direction.

In the U.S.-India relationship, we share a multitude of common values and have a wide variety of common interests.  Among them is our mutual devotion to freedom and to justice for all.  These are enduring cornerstones in the pillar of our relationship.

This Independence Day we are also honored with presence of 6 members of the United States House of Representatives:

• Leading the delegation Congressman Gary Ackerman of New York - Chairman of the India Caucus in the House 
• Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas 
• Congressman Thad McCotter of Michigan 
• Congressman Randy Neugebauer of Texas 
• Congressman Al Green of Texas, and 
• Congressman Russ Carnahan of Missouri

This bipartisan Congressional group has had a very busy trip, covering many issues, and has been received at the highest levels of the Indian government, including a meeting this morning with Prime Minister Singh.  We host many Congressional visits to India and they are, one important indicator of the robust nature of the Indo-US relationship.  I thank them for being here on this 4^th of July and joining us at Roosevelt House.
 
232 years ago, by signing the Declaration of Independence, fifty-six courageous patriots pledged their lives, wealth, and sacred honor to securing freedom and attested to the fundamental idea of America, namely that all men are created equal and endowed with certain inalienable rights - among them life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  These simple, yet profound ideas have resonated with those who love freedom through the centuries.

We in America still work to achieve and to maintain these ideals.  Our history attests to this ongoing effort.  America, like India, is an unfinished work with the goals of freedom, justice, and liberty for all, undimmed.  We have defended our freedom many times, and the freedom of others, and we recognize that the need for this defense is a daily responsibility for us all.  I would like to take a moment to recognize all military people present here this evening and to thank them for their service.

Now, I have to admit that growing up in small town America, thoughts of self evident, inalienable rights were not always at the top of our minds when it came to the Fourth of July.  In reality, the popular manifestation of the 4^th of July is that it is an exciting family day, a local day, a time for parades in every town, picnics, baseball, swimming, games and finally the fireworks.  It is hard to convey to others the sheer excitement and pleasure of this day for Americans, where family and friends and the simple pleasures of freedom come first.

Thank you again and it is with that spirit that we thank you for joining us to celebrate the independence of the United States.  Please enjoy your evening and to all happy 4^th of July.