[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10235]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         INDEPENDENCE DAY 2012

  Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate our 
Nation's Independence Day.
  Over 230 years ago, a collection of very brave and thoughtful men put 
their names and lives on the line to support a visionary idea, writing:

       We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men 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. That to secure these 
     rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their 
     just powers from the consent of the governed.

  Today we honor those patriots who crafted our country's identity, and 
we appreciate every man, woman, and child who has shared it, refined 
it, and lived it. There is a reason why the rest of the world looks to 
America as a bold leader, and it began in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. 
It continues nationwide today in our independent spirit, our ambition, 
and our sense of generosity, and we certainly see that in my home State 
of Alaska.
  We see it in communities large and small, as we solve problems and 
work together to make life better and the future brighter. Today, we 
take a moment to realize that we do all this without thinking about 
it--and that few other countries in the world can boast the same.
  But as we take a moment to appreciate all that we have, we must never 
forget the cost of freedom. Thousands have given their lives to secure 
the blessings of liberty. Men and women in uniform are serving bravely 
overseas, enduring tremendous sacrifice, while countless others guard 
our shores, protect our interests abroad, and defend our skies here at 
home. Their burden is shared by the families who endure empty spots at 
the dinner table, missed birthdays, and absence from special moments 
like a child's first steps. Freedom is indeed perishable and we are 
grateful for those who safeguard our liberty for our children and 
grandchildren.
  As Americans, we honor our veterans and the freedoms they defend. We 
speak our minds and we think big thoughts--bounded only by the limits 
of our imagination.
  On this Independence Day, I am honored to represent Alaska in the 
United States Senate.
  Mr. HELLER. Mr. President, I rise today in the tradition of patriotic 
celebration to recognize 236 years of American independence. The Fourth 
of July is not only a proud and inspiring symbol of our nation's 
independence, but of our undeniable strength and unity. As we celebrate 
Independence Day this year, I am thankful for our forefathers' struggle 
to afford us freedom and liberty which we enjoy today.
  As the first battles of the Revolutionary War broke out in April 
1775, many colonists were skeptical of complete independence from Great 
Britain. By the middle of the following year, tensions and hostility 
were high. As revolutionary sentiment spread, so too did the colonists' 
desire to become liberated from Great Britain.
  On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of a 
resolution for independence. Two days later, our Founding Fathers 
adopted the Declaration of Independence, marking the United States' 
break with Great Britain. In 1870, the U.S. Congress instituted July 
4th as a federal holiday. As Americans, we are proud to celebrate this 
important national holiday, a symbol of our patriotism and freedom.
  On the eve of this celebration, we also pay tribute to today's 
heroes; America's brave men and women in uniform who have fought 
tirelessly to protect and preserve the very freedom afforded to us by 
our Founding Fathers. Their perseverance in the face of adversity is a 
testament to the strength of the greatest military in the world. We are 
proud to honor our veterans, active duty soldiers, and military 
families for their grave sacrifices made for the safety and security of 
this great nation.
  Next week, as we gather with family and friends, let us reflect on 
the trials and tribulations of our nation's path to independence and 
the everlasting impact of this defining moment in America's history. 
With appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy today, I ask my colleagues 
to join me in commemorating the birth of our Nation's independence.

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