Embassy of the United States

July 4: Tradition and Change

By: Adam Ereli
U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain

(Editorial in Arabic - PDF file)

This July 4, America will celebrate its 233^rd birthday.  Much has changed in the United States and we are a very different nation than the one that declared independence from Britain in 1776. We have grown from 13 to 50 states.  We fought a civil war in which one million Americans were killed or wounded by their own countrymen.  Slavery has been abolished. Women have been given the right to vote.  And the struggle for racial equality begun by Dr. Martin Luther King forty-five years ago culminated last year in the election of our first African-American President - something the founding fathers could never have dreamed of.

But some things have not changed. The principles upon which America was founded remain as true today as they were 233 years ago:  that all men are created equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights, and that those rights include life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Our country is certainly far from perfect. We have made our share of mistakes, both at home and abroad.  But throughout its history, America has always been a nation that looks to the future and constantly strives to build a better society by learning lessons from the past.  The task before us today is, as it has always been, is how to meet the challenges of the present while remaining faithful to our values and heritage.

At home, how do we ensure that millions of Americans have access to quality health care at reasonable prices - something that is not the case at present? How do we manage an economic crisis in which entire sectors, such as the automotive industry and banking, must be radically restructured?  And how do we protect our environment while respecting individual rights and economic opportunity?

Overseas, America faces a changing world.  Not only in the Middle East, but throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America, many look to the United States to help defend against threats, resolve conflicts and promote justice. This is the responsibility that comes with being a superpower.  In fulfilling this duty, we are guided by the words of our Declaration of Independence, which in 1776 said that the purpose of a nation's government is to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens and that its authority is based on the consent of the governed. In America's relationships with nations overseas, these are the fundamental principles that guide our actions and shape our view of the world.

It is these same principles that serve as a basis for our strong relationship with Bahrain. Like America, the founding of modern Bahrain dates back over 200 years. Our two countries share many of the same values and goals, as well as similar domestic challenges.  For example, our nations are working to develop and prosper to ensure a positive economic future for our children.  We seek to empower our citizens and encourage dialogue, taking steps to guarantee that our political systems reflect the will of the people.  And our countries are making strides to respect fundamental freedoms for all its people - regardless of their backgrounds and beliefs.  It is the diversity of our people that strengthens our communities and makes our countries great.

Together the United States and Bahrain will continue to work to create a more just and stable international community that will allow the peoples of all nations to enjoy that blessings of peace and understand that exist in our two countries. On the occasion of America's 233^rd birthday, let us rededicate ourselves to this noble and important mission.