4th of July Remarks at the American Embassy Berlin (Berlin, July 5, 2010)

4th of July Remarks
American Embassy, Berlin, July 5, 2010
Ambassador Philip D. Murphy & Deputy Chief of Mission Greg Delawie

Deputy Chief of Mission Delawie:   Herzlich willkommen in der Botschaft zu unserem Nationalfeiertag – diesmal ohne Regen!   Ich danke Ihnen im Namen aller Botschaftsmitarbeiter, dass Sie heute gekommen sind, um uns zu helfen, den 234. Geburtstag der Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika zu feiern.  Ein besonderer Dank gilt den Sponsoren des heutigen Abends: Sie haben großzügig dazu beigetragen, dass unser Nationalfeiertag auf typisch amerikanische Art gefeiert werden kann.

Also please give a hand to Keith Tyne, formerly from the Platters, Eddie DeJean, Daryl Taylor, and Lionel Haas for the wonderful music this afternoon.   This too is true American style for the 4th.

In my career as a diplomat, I’ve been fortunate to celebrate Independence Day around the world.  Every year on July 4 -- and sometimes, like today on July 5 -- we Americans gather together, wherever we may be, to proudly celebrate our national anniversary.  But, for me, this celebration is even more special, because this year I will have the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day here in the country where twenty years ago a peaceful revolution highlighted the same values of freedom and democracy that we celebrate on the 4th of July.   We would not be standing here today in this place – here where a Wall once stood -- without the courageous efforts of the citizens of the German Democratic Republic. 

It is therefore a special honor for the Embassy’s U.S. Marine Security Guard Detachment to present the colors of the United States of America here on the premises of our once and present U.S. Embassy.  This will be followed by the national anthems.

It is now my privilege to introduce Ambassador Philip D. Murphy.  We arrived at about the same time last August.  His dynamism and vitality are truly contagious.  He and Tammy have already made a real mark on the German-American partnership -- and on this year’s 4th of July celebration.

Ambassador Murphy:  Thank you, Greg.  Thank you, Marines.   Keith Tyne, I don’t think I have ever heard such a moving rendition of the national anthem.

Exzellenzen, sehr geehrte Mitglieder des Parlaments, Staatssekretäre, verehrte Gäste, liebe Freunde – willkommen.

Tammy und ich sind immer noch überwältigt, wie freundlich wir in diesem wunderbaren Land aufgenommen wurden.  Wir haben gelernt, dass es bei der deutsch-amerikanischen Partnerschaft nicht nur um die Vergangenheit geht. Es geht um die Gegenwart und die Zukunft.

Zum Glück kann man das auch über Fußball sagen. Es gibt ein Morgen und ein Übermorgen – und wie man sagt, “Nach dem Spiel ist vor dem Spiel.”  Der deutschen Mannschaft gratuliere ich zu einem hervorragenden Spiel am Samstag. 

Ambassador Dezcallar de Mazarredoto, the Ambassador to Spain, is with us today.  Rafael,  our congratulations to the Spanish team, as well.

Wir freuen uns auf Mittwoch.  Team USA war auch toll.   Wir werden wieder kommen! Die Vereinigten Staaten bewerben sich übrigens um die Ausrichtung der FIFA-Fußballweltmeisterschaft 2018 oder 2022.

Aber zurück zu heute.

Greg pointed out how moving it has been for him to celebrate this special holiday with friends and partners around the world in the course of his diplomatic career.  As you all know, I am a relative newcomer to government and diplomacy. Imagine how what a tremendous honor it is for me as Ambassador and representative of the “Land of the Free,” as we Americans like to call our country, to celebrate Independence Day here at this historic location next to the Brandenburg Gate – itself, a symbol of freedom around the world.  And so, as Greg said, there is no better place to be standing today than right here with you.  This 4th of July is one of the few the Murphy family has spent away from home, but I know it will be one of the most memorable. It is an incredibly powerful example of how shared values unite people in a bond of partnership.

Before I read President Obama’s July 4 message, I would like to go off script for a few minutes to honor a great American.  Some of you have asked me why the flag has been flying at half-mast here at the Embassy.  It is in honor of Senator Robert C Byrd who passed away last week.  Senator Byrd served for 51 years in the United States Senate, longer than anyone else in history.  With his six years in the House of Representatives, he was also the longest-serving member of Congress.  Much has been said and written about his long career in government but I would like to briefly highlight two aspects of his life that I think are distinctly American. 

For one, he was the embodiment of the American Dream.  He grew up in poverty.  He was the first in his family to make it past the third grade and although he was the valedictorian of the 1934 graduating class of the Mark Twain High School in his home town, the depression kept him out of college.   Although it was not until he was in his 30s and 40s that he was able to take evening college courses, he was hungry for knowledge all of his life.   While in the U.S. House, he started taking night classes at law schools and was the only member of Congress to put himself through law school while in office.  He took pride in being the Senate's resident historian and constitutional scholar.  In fact, he always kept a copy of the Constitution in his breast pocket so that he always had it handy should there be a question.  Today I am carrying a copy of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence in my pocket in his honor.  But he was not only known for his detailed knowledge of government.  His speeches were sprinkled with citations from Aristotle, Shakespeare, and other examples of classical literature and philosophy.

Another thing about Senator Byrd, he was not perfect.  But he had capacity to change, to learn, to admit his mistakes, and to correct his mistakes.  As a young man, Mr. Byrd was a member of the Ku Klux Klan.  He apologized numerous times for what he considered a youthful indiscretion and he later became an avid and strong supporter of civil rights legislation.  When a vote on making Martin Luther King's birthday a federal holiday came up on the floor of the Senate in 1983, Mr. Byrd told an aide, "I'm the only one in this room who must vote for this bill." 

Now, as is traditional at Independence Day celebrations, I will read President Obama’s July 4 proclamation:

"Today we celebrate the 234th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the beginning of a great experiment, American democracy.  In every corner of our country, we recall the valor and vision of patriots from Thirteen Colonies who declared independence from a powerful empire and gave birth to a new Nation.  We gather in town centers and wave flags in parades not only to recall this history we share, but also to honor the vibrant and enduring spirit of America established on this day.

For those gallant first Americans, such a Nation as ours may have seemed like an unattainable dream.  Their concept was revolutionary:  a government of, by, and for the people.  Yet, our Founders' tenacity, resolve, and courage in the face of seemingly impossible odds became the bedrock of our country.  That essence has permeated our land and inspired generations of Americans to explore, discover, and redefine the outer reaches of our infinite potential.  It has become the foundation of the American dream.

This dream has not come without tremendous cost.  From the farmers and tradesmen who served in militias during our American Revolution to the present day women and men protecting our Nation around the world, the sacrifices of our Armed Forces have been extraordinary.  Today we pay tribute to our service members, many of whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice.  We also acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices of their loving families.  It is their heroism that has paved the remarkable path of freedom's march.

Just as this day serves as a reminder of the immeasurable bravery of those who have made America what it is today, it also renews in us the solemn duty we share to ensure our Nation lives up to its promise.  We must not simply commemorate the work begun over two and a quarter centuries ago; we are called to join together, hoist their mantle upon our shoulders, and carry that spirit of service into tomorrow.

America again faces a daunting set of challenges, yet our history shows these are not insurmountable.  We need only to draw upon the perseverance of those before us    our Founders who declared and fought for their ideals; our ancestors who emigrated here and struggled to build a better future for their children; and our pioneers and entrepreneurs who blazed trails that have continually expanded our horizons.  Their spirit  -  our spirit  - will guide our Nation now and in our bright future.

On our Nation's birthday, may we come together in the enduring spirit of America to begin that work anew.  I wish you all the best for a happy Fourth of July.  May God Bless all those who serve, and may God Bless the United States of America."

Signed, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America.

Ladies and gentlemen, and may God Bless the wonderful country of Germany.

Again we thank all those who made this event possible. And, thank you all for helping us honor America’s birthday.