Today we celebrate our nation's 228th birthday. We are all thankful we live in a country where the freedom and the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" have been handed down to us by our forbearers. We honor the sacrifices they made to give us this inheritance.

We also honor those serving today in foreign lands to advance the cause of liberty. From Afghanistan to Korea to Iraq, American servicemen and -women are willing to make the same strong stand for freedom that generations of Americans have made before them. The old saying that "freedom is not free" is true. We thank these brave men and women for their willingness to serve our country as we begin the 21st Century.

Today we also honor the contributions to America made by Interior Department employees. This year, the Department celebrates its 155th anniversary. Looking back over those years, we find that the history of the department reflects the growth of America itself.

In the mid-1800s, the Department played an important role in America's expansion westward by improving the trails that led settlers through the untamed wilderness. We conducted surveys of the western territories, and out of that effort came the establishment of the U.S. Geological Survey in 1869.
This year is the Survey's 125th year as one of the world's leading scientific organizations.

Another early role for Interior was interacting with tribal nations and helping to ensure the welfare of Native Americans. The Indian Affairs Office eventually became the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

In 1872, Interior's role in the conservation of our natural treasures began when Congress established Yellowstone National Park as our first national park. Ultimately, this led to the creation of the National Park Service in 1916.

Meanwhile in 1902, the Bureau of Reclamation was established to construct dams and aqueducts in the West. This provided the water essential for farms and cities alike.

A year later, in 1903, Teddy Roosevelt created the first National Wildlife Refuge at Pelican Island in Florida. This system has grown to more than 540 refuges, the largest system of lands in the world dedicated to fish and wildlife conservation.

Then in 1946, the General Land Office and the Grazing Service merged into the Bureau of Land Management. BLM manages 264 million acres, making it our largest land management agency.

In 1977, Congress created the Office of Surface Mining to clean up lands damaged by past coal mining practices and ensure coal mining operators restore the land. Then in 1982, the establishment of the Minerals Management Service to oversee offshore oil and gas development began another part of the Department's history.

We are proud of this rich history. Interior Department employees have played a vital role in creating the America we celebrate today.

You continue that role today. You conserve our fish and wildlife. You provide recreational opportunities and safeguard national treasures. You help ensure America has ample energy. You help provide a better quality of life for the first Americans - the list goes on.

For the past three and a half years, I have had the honor of being Secretary. I have noted that for many of you, the work you do in service to America more than a job - it is a passion. I applaud you.

Today we are recognizing long-standing employees who have served the Interior Department and the American people for many years. These men and women deserve our gratitude. On behalf of all Americans, I want to say "Thank you." (Lead round of applause).

We will now call you up by name to receive a certificate. (Each awardee comes up to the front by bureau. A representative from their bureau will be by your side. You are handed the certificate to the award recipient)

Let us all now enjoy the fireworks and celebrate America.