[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 113 (Monday, July 8, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4683-S4684]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             FOURTH OF JULY

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, I hope all of our colleagues had a 
productive State work period and an enjoyable Fourth of July.
  On Thursday, hundreds of millions of proud Americans joined together 
all across our country in town squares, parks, and backyards to cohost 
our Nation's 243rd birthday party. As always, the parades and fireworks 
and picnics commemorated something serious: our proud national legacy 
of liberty. It began in Philadelphia in 1776, and we continue working 
to make it manifest to this day.
  Celebrating our freedoms also means remembering the great sacrifices 
that so many have given in order to protect and preserve them. It is 
fitting that here in our Nation's Capital, the fireworks display lights 
up our war memorials and the tombs of fallen warriors across the river. 
And, of course, we remember also all the men and women currently 
serving today.
  We Americans have so much to be proud of. Just yesterday, we were 
given yet another reason. Instead of taking the weekend off, the U.S. 
women's national soccer team finished their time in France by winning 
the World Cup. Earlier last week, the U.S. women commemorated 
Independence Day early by beating England, and then yesterday, they 
defeated the Netherlands--two to nothing--to take first place. Through 
grit, teamwork, and dazzling talent, the American women have now raised 
the World Cup trophy four times.
  A billion viewers around the world tuned in to watch the tournament. 
All told, they saw the United States outscore our opponents 
collectively by 26 to 3 and follow our victory in the

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last tournament in 2015 with a back-to-back win this time as well.
  I know my colleagues join me in offering the Senate's congratulations 
to the U.S. women's national soccer team for bringing this honor home.

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