BALTIMORE – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement in celebration of Independence Day on Monday, July 4:

“On Monday we will celebrate the 240^th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence and the enunciation of self-evident but nonetheless aspirational truths ‘that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’  When I think of ‘American exceptionalism,’ this is what I have in mind: our Nation has a unique role in human civilization as the beacon for freedom, equality, peace, and progress.  That is our destiny.  That is our responsibility.  That is our challenge.

“As we celebrate July 4^th across America, fireworks will light up the evening sky.  Bold and brilliant colors will illuminate the darkness.  To me, that is a metaphor which captures the essence of the United States of America.  We light up the darkness.  As we celebrate our freedom, let us remember we must always be a beacon to others. 

“I hope that the unity and sense of purpose we feel this Fourth of July carries into the days and months ahead. The Fourth of July offers a unique opportunity for the American people, with the leadership of Congress to come together to work towards our eternal American calling to ‘create a more perfect Union.’ Our greatest strengths as a nation can be found in our ideals, our unity and our diversity. The Fourth of July is more than just a national celebration of our founding, it is the national celebration and display of our greatest strengths. I wish all Americans a happy Fourth of July.”

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