[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16812-16813]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                THE TRUE IMPORTANCE OF INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GABRIELLE GIFFORDS

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 26, 2009

  Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to encourage all citizens 
to take a moment during the upcoming Independence Day weekend to 
reflect on what the United States and the ideals of our Republic mean 
to them.
  America's experiment with democracy represents the origins of a new 
outlook and new system of governance. Our founders dared to challenge 
history. The principles of personal liberty and collective justice--
exercised daily across our country--were once little more than the 
lofty goals of our ancestors. Today, we have come a long way. We have 
struggled and continue to struggle, to achieve the true spirit of 
freedom for every American and every citizen of humanity.
  When I reflect on the ideals of our nation and consider the 
significance of our shining example of freedom to the world, I think 
not only of our deep-rooted principle of self-determination but the 
basic liberties set forth by the Declaration of Independence and our 
Bill of Rights. These two great doctrines lay a foundation for all free 
nations.
  But I believe freedom is more than words.
  Freedom is a society in which all have an equal opportunity to 
succeed.
  A free society is one in which citizens are not burdened by a 
perpetual cycle of poverty that breeds crime, violence and chronic 
disease.
  A free society is one in which the people are not crushed into 
bankruptcy by the weight of growing medical costs that seem without 
bounds.
  Citizens of a free society need not choose between buying food and 
affording care.
  A free society educates all of its children and provides vast 
opportunity for betterment beyond the classroom.
  A free society ought not be bound by the shackles of oppression, be 
it physical restraints or the restraints imposed by a dependence on 
foreign assets.
  A free society puts its stock in innovation, tapping into its own 
financial and human capital to grow a smarter economy and a safer 
future that doesn't poison our air, water and land or tie self 
determination to the foreign resources of another land's oppressor.
  In our still pioneering young republic, we refuse to cede the 
initiative to innovate.

[[Page 16813]]

  In our pursuit of freedom we agree to forgo some of our individual 
interests and intemperance to allow the space for open dialogue, debate 
and discussion.
  Our society and all free societies must be open to compromise without 
bias to age, color or creed.
  So as I stand here on the eve of our 233rd Independence Day, I am 
grateful for our founding fathers and their quest for democracy. While 
I value the vast distances we have traveled since Philadelphia, I 
remain mindful of the long journey yet to perfection.
  On this Independence Day, I urge my fellow Arizonans and all 
Americans to endeavor to renew and revive the spirit of liberty that 
launched this great nation, and strive to seek a more perfect Union.

                          ____________________