“Today, we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation—America’s Semiquincentennial. On this day in 1776, thirteen colonies formally declared their independence from Great Britain, and a new, sovereign nation was born.

The United States is the greatest nation in the world because of the exceptional ideals upon which it is built. The promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness remains just as powerful today as it was 250 years ago, when the Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia, and the course of history was forever changed.

On this significant and special occasion, we honor the remarkable courage of the founding fathers, driven to establish a free nation of liberty, equality, and independence. And we pay tribute to generations of brave men and women who defended those principles and continue to do so today.

I wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July as we celebrate this historic milestone and honor the freedoms our forefathers fought for. Here’s to 250 more years of opportunity, possibility, and American ideals. God bless America.”