Public Statements

Ambassador Stewart speaks at the Independence Day reception

Ambassador Stewart's Remarks at Independence Day Reception

Raubichi, Belarus
July 4, 2007

Distinguished Guests, Friends, and Colleagues!

Welcome to the U.S. Embassy’s celebration of 231 years of American Independence!  Thank you all for coming.

On this day in 1776, our Continental Congress adopted a Declaration of Independence which would forever afterwards define our reason for existence as a nation:  that we are all created equal, that we are all endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, and that governments are established only with the consent of the people to guard those rights. 

Inspired by those words, many people, including Belarus’ Tadeusz Kosciuszko, showed extraordinary courage and selflessness to found a nation that would embody these principles.

Today we continue to build a free and fair society at home and to support those around the globe who choose freedom and self-determination.

Friends, this is a particularly special Fourth of July for me.  Three years ago after this celebration under Ambassador Krol, I said goodbye to Belarus, never dreaming that I would return someday as the American Ambassador myself.

To serve my country as Ambassador is a great honor; but to represent the United States to a people whom I already know and admire is a great pleasure as well.  I hope in my time here to deepen our mutual understanding and to develop stronger ties between our two peoples.

Those ties will grow on a shared spirit of freedom, on a commitment to human rights for all, and on a belief in democratic societies living in prosperity and security based on liberty and justice.

May God bless the United States of America and Belarus! Let freedom ring!