| Thank you
all for joining us today as we celebrate the 231st anniversary
of the independence of the United States of America.
Fernando, your rendition of the Mexican National Anthem was
as strong, powerful, and awe-inspiring as Mexico itself, and
a reminder of the courage that the Mexican people have displayed
for centuries. It’s that strength that makes it clear why
Mexico is, and will always be, a proud and independent nation
that can rise to every challenge it faces…today, tomorrow,
and always.
Eugenio, thank you for playing our National Anthem today.
A solitary trumpet playing our American hymn has long served
as a clarion call to people around the world. A call to look
to the United States as that place where they might live in
freedom and realize their dreams. A place Ronald Reagan, recalling
the Book of Matthew, called that “shining city upon the hill.”
As you can see by the backdrop behind us and the programs
you all have, this year we have focused on the document that
declared to the world the ideas and principles that would
form a new nation, words that gave birth to the United States
of America.
The drafters of the Declaration of Independence offered a
bold, revolutionary vision when they asserted “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…”
I am proud of my country, and I love my country, but I will
not stand here before you and declare that we in the United
States have always lived up to these ideals. In spite of the
fervent declarations of our Founding Fathers, we struggled
with slavery, segregation, and equal rights for women before
recognizing that it takes hard work to live up to those truths
that are inscribed in our Declaration of Independence.
Here, in our time, the words of the Declaration of Independence
continue to challenge those who believe in freedom. As the
events this past weekend in London and Glasgow have shown
us, there are still those would terrorize free peoples by
seeking to deprive them of their lives. There are some in
this very hemisphere who assert that people are not prepared
for real liberty and the freedoms that their neighbors already
hold dear. And there are others, closer to home, who insist
that America is different and cannot or should not be that
bright “shining city upon a hill” calling out to people around
the world so that they might pursue their dreams.
The Declaration of Independence and its ideals are real,
they are alive, and they are as relevant and important today
as they were 231 years ago. And only a commitment to those
unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
will allow us all to be safer and more secure in a world which
seems smaller, more connected, and seemingly more vulnerable
each day.
I want you to know that I share President Bush’s absolute
commitment to fighting terror and terrorists wherever they
might be.
I want you to know that I share President Bush’s commitment
to a hemisphere where democracy flourishes and where we work
together to reduce poverty and inequality.
And also I want you to know that I share President Bush’s
belief in what he has said so many times: that America can
be both a welcoming society and a secure one as well. Realizing
this last hope of the President is one of the great challenges
of our time, one that requires both wisdom and compassion…and,
sadly, one which despite the President’s commitment, many
in the Senate, and the support of over two-thirds of the American
people, we fell short of this past week….But, I know we will
reach that goal, and let me tell you why.
The history of the United States is vivid proof that there
is strength in difference. America didn’t become the great
nation it is today off the sweat of just one race, one religion,
or one culture. It took people from all walks of life and
from across the world, working together, in what Martin Luther
King called the “inescapable network of mutuality” to become
the country that we are…what affects one, affects all.
The American motto is E Pluribus Unum. From many, one. When
you travel our world you come to understand why the American
dream is a powerful draw. I am fortunate to represent a country
that is richly blessed – and throughout its history has been
made stronger by each successive wave of immigrant, a fact
that I think we Americans too often take for granted, or have
simply forgotten.
The work of my country is not done, nor will we have we answered
the call of our own ideals, until those who live in the shadow
of our society can come out and be recognized. Until all hearts
accept what no law can mandate – and that is to love one another.
To respect one another. To support one another.
Today we also celebrate the continuing strength and appeal
of America. If you ever need a reminder of this appeal, that
shining city, simply ask any of the hard-working immigrants
in the United States why they endured days in a scorching
desert, or why they crossed an ocean in a crowded boat to
get to the United States . . . They will tell you that they
went in search of opportunity . . . in search of a safer and
more secure life. They will tell you they risked their lives
so that they, too, could have a shot at achieving their dreams,
an opportunity they felt was only possible by following that
clarion call to America . . . and yes, many coming from Mexico,
all deserving of the respect that one human being owes to
the other.
One of the things that frustrated me as the immigration debate
unfolded in the United States Senate is that many do not yet
appreciate the depth of the United States-Mexico relationship,
or what today’s Mexico is doing to meet the great challenges
it faces. And we have much to do before they truly understand.
The truth is that in the Mexico I see today, the Mexico that
I live in, I see people from across the political spectrum
and civil society with a clear vision of a stronger and more
vigorous Mexico. Mexico is marching towards that vision with
the determination and clarity we all heard in Fernando’s voice,
and in the words of its anthem.
- Towards a Mexico where children have access to the education
that they need to succeed
- A Mexico that is secure so that people can feel safe
in their home
- A Mexico that can compete with any economy in the world
- And, yes, a Mexico where people can realize their dreams
as easily at home as abroad.
That is the Mexico I see, yet not one of you has ever told
me that the job is done, or that there isn’t much more to
do…as Mexicans, and where we should share the responsibility,
together with your neighbors. And people in both countries
need to see that.
As our countries become ever-more integrated, we all need
courage in order to respond effectively to the challenges
of this century. In order for our leaders to stand up and
confront difficult issues on both sides of the border, they
need to know that there are people at every level in both
our countries…whether it be in their homes, their families,
their businesses, and, yes, in their hearts, that are already
part of that “inescapable network of mutuality.” This is the
reality of living in a democracy.
Then, and only then, will our leaders move closer in ways
so that we all can appreciate the strength of our two great
nations and the enormous power represented by working together.
Then, and only then, will we be safer and more secure from
those that would do us harm. Then, and only then, will we
be more prosperous. There is much work to do but we will do
it.
So today, I ask you to join me not only in celebrating the
Independence of the United States, but also to toast those
values that we share and will show us the way, that will guide
our work: freedom, dignity, security and opportunity for all.
So please join me in raising your glasses in celebrating
not only our Independence Day, but the great friendship and
challenges shared by our two nations. May God forever bless
Mexico and the United States of America.
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