Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement celebrating the Fourth of July. Today marks the 241st anniversary of our nation’s independence from the British Empire:
“On July 4, 1776, our Founding Fathers made the courageous decision of declaring independence from Great Britain, one of the most powerful empires in the world at that time. Signing the Declaration of Independence could have cost them their lives, but they knew their actions were right. By declaring independence, they rejected a tyrannical monarchy that denied them representation in Parliament in favor of democratic self-rule. The bravery of our Founding Fathers in standing up for the right to ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness’ has defined who we are as Americans.
“Today, Independence Day reminds us of our core values as a country. Our Founding Fathers fought for the fundamental ideals of self-determination and the freedom to be oneself. Our founding principles are only guaranteed as long as we defend them and tend to them. We cannot forget that liberty is at the sacred core of the American identity and any threat to it must be rejected. Let us celebrate the Fourth of July with those we love and remind ourselves that the freedoms our Founding Fathers stood for must continue to be actively protected.”
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