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Skriven 2006-07-01 23:34:10 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (060701) for Sat, 2006 Jul 1
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President's Radio Address
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
July 1, 2006

President's Radio Address

ÿÿÿÿÿ Audio ÿÿÿÿÿ

THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Laura and I wish all Americans a safe and
happy 4th of July weekend. I'm looking forward to spending Independence Day
with members of our Armed Forces and their families at Fort Bragg, North
Carolina. These brave men and women risk their lives to defend the ideals
of our founding generation, and I will have the honor of thanking many of
them personally for their service in freedom's cause.

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In 1776, John Adams predicted to his wife, Abigail, that America's
Independence Day would be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great
anniversary festival. He wrote that "this anniversary should be
commemorated with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, bells,
bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other,
from this time forward, forever more."

Since then, generations of Americans have done just that. Each year we look
forward to the family gatherings and the grand celebrations that take place
across the Nation on the 4th of July. And amid the music and barbeques and
fireworks, we give thanks for our freedom, and we honor the bravery and
sacrifices of all those who have made that freedom possible.

On Independence Day, we recall the courage and high ideals of our Nation's
founders, who waged a desperate fight to overcome tyranny and live in
freedom. Recent years have brought a renewed interest in the lives and
achievements of our founders, and we have learned once again that they
possessed extraordinary talents, as well as ordinary human failings, which
only makes their accomplishments all the more remarkable.

For the brave men and women of our founding generation, victory was far
from certain. They were certain only of the cause they served -- the belief
that freedom is the gift of God and the right of all mankind. The strength
of their convictions made possible the birth of the free Nation in which we
are blessed to live.

On the 4th of July we also honor the sacrifices made by each American
generation to secure the promises of the Declaration of Independence. For
more than two centuries, from the camps of Valley Forge, to the mountains
of Afghanistan, Americans have served and sacrificed for the principles of
our founding.

Today, a new generation of American patriots is defending our freedom
against determined and ruthless enemies. At this hour, the men and women of
our Armed Forces are facing danger in distant places, carrying out their
missions with all the skill and honor we expect of them. And their families
are enduring long separations from their loved ones with great courage and
dignity. Our troops and our military families deserve all our support and
gratitude, and on this 4th of July weekend, I ask every American to find a
way to thank those who defend our freedom. To find out about efforts in
your community, please visit the website AmericaSupportsYou.mil.

As we celebrate the 4th, we also remember that the promises of liberty
contained in our Declaration apply to all people. Because Americans believe
that freedom is an unalienable right, we value the freedom of every person
in every nation. And because we are committed to the God-given worth of
every life, we strive to promote respect for human dignity. Today, all who
live in tyranny and all who yearn for freedom can know that America stands
with them.

As citizens of this good Nation, we should be proud of our heritage,
grateful for our liberty, and confident in our future.
Two-hundred-and-thirty years after America declared its independence, the
spirit of '76 lives on. And our Nation remains proud to carry freedom's
torch. We still place our trust in the protections of divine providence. We
still pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor to freedom's
defense. And we still believe in the promise of freedom for all.

Thank you for listening.

END
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