DeLauro Statement Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro delivered remarks celebrating the 250th birthday of America. A transcript of Congresswoman DeLauro’s remarks as delivered follows:   “Happy 250th birthday America! This milestone marks two and a half centuries of perseverance by our great nation. Today we remember our founding, built on the principles of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.    “Those principles are what has pushed us forward. They have drawn people from all over the world, like my father, who immigrated from Italy in the early 1900s. Like many others, they pursued happiness here, achieving their American Dream and becoming part of the great American success story. And their story built the foundation for me to continue fighting for the middle class and the working class, who built this country.    “Over the last 250 years, we have built a great nation, filled with diverse people, ideas, and perspectives, yet united by the enduring values and principles upon which it was founded. As we look ahead at the next 250 years, we must maintain that American spirit of optimism and hope. We must maintain our empathy and our faith in democracy, which keep us bound together.   “As we continue working to form a more perfect union, we must use our past struggles to guide us in moving forward. As long as we do not abandon our founding values, I know our best days are still ahead. Happy Independence Day.”