Remarks for July 4th American Society Celebration
July 5, 2008

Greetings to all my fellow Americans and also to our many Salvadoran and expatriate friends who are with us today!

This is my second 4th of July as U.S. Ambassador to El Salvador; I arrived with Janet in January of last year.
It is always a pleasure to be able to meet the larger group of fellow Americans who live in El Salvador and to enjoy spending some time  with our Salvadoran and international community friends. 

I would like to give my warmest thanks to the American Society Board of Directors and President Rosario Arevalo for organizing the celebration and inviting me to join in the festivities, and the Sheraton Presidente for providing the delightful venue.  Thank you also to the companies whose donations have contributed to making this occasion a success. –
All this good food, drink, music, and decorations, and of course all of you present,  are what makes the Fourth of July celebration, so thank you very much.

The Fourth of July is one of the most important holidays for Americans – and for those of us overseas, away from family and friends, I think the day becomes even more significant.  
This is a time to celebrate the values that both define and unite us: values such as liberty, equality, freedom, and democracy – principals the founding fathers believed were important enough to  risk  and sacrifice  their lives fighting for and have thus become  cornerstones of American society.

 If those brave men could see how their extraordinary wisdom has supported the growth and stability of a democratic system that has inspired numerous others across the world, they would surely be proud.
As we celebrate those values which our great nation was founded upon 232 years ago, let us also commemorate the enduring friendship between El Salvador and the United States.

We are friends and allies who share the same ideals of freedom and democracy, and  who work together to provide those who have not yet experienced  the blessings of liberty to do so for the first time.
Finally, I would like to thank all of the Americans present, for the work you are doing in El Salvador that contributes to a better understanding between our countries.

Americans - here and all over the world - are in our own way all Ambassadors of the United States, who foster goodwill and play a role in preserving the strong relationship that exists between America and El Salvador.   

All of you do this in one manner or another  through business, economic and social development work, education, and in many other ways.
One group of people, some of who are here with us today, especially embody the essence of America’s people to people commitment around the globe.  Peace Corps volunteers represent some of the best America has to offer to the people of El Salvador.  Thank you for being here today.

I am very proud to be an American and a member of this community, and I thank you for inviting me to be part of   this wonderful celebration.  

Happy Fourth of July and I hope you all enjoy the fun and have a great time .