Remarks by the DCM Anne Casper at the Independence Day Celebration

Good evening! 

Welcome to the Embassy of the United States of America.

Thank you for joining us this evening as we celebrate 234 years of America's independence. 

We especially appreciate your being with us, since we are fully aware that tonight Ghana and Uruguay will play in the World Cup!

As many of you know, we mark the birth of our nation on July 4, 1776, and we are pleased to commemorate this occasion today, here in Kigali, on July 2.

America's Independence Day and Rwanda's Day of Liberation both fall - auspiciously, I believe - on July 4. 

Of note -July 2, 1776 is also a very important date in our history,

The Declaration of Independence not only asserted our separation from foreign rule, but it laid the cornerstone values and goals of American society.

It set forth the powerful ideals that all men are created equal and that our Creator has endowed each of us with inalienable rights --among them, the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

Each year, Americans all over the world celebrate this vision of our Founding Fathers, and the spirit of determination and perseverance that has brought us to this day.

We remember George Washington's ill-clad, poorly-equipped army, which achieved victory after eight long years of hardship, inspired by the promise of freedom and fair treatment. 

We recall our bloody civil war that pitted brother against brother, threatening to tear our nation apart forever, and we remain grateful for President Lincoln's unifying leadership and his enduring declaration "that this nation, under God, Shall have a new birth of freedom; and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, Shall not perish from the earth."

We, also, do not forget our struggles against sexism and bigotry that gave women the right to vote, and people of color equal rights, and that culminated in the election of President Barack Obama, our first African-American president last year.

As we commemorate these ideals, and the spirit of the American people, we also remember that these ideals and spirit are not unique to us alone.

We have all seen over the past 16 years, Rwanda's remarkable transformation, indeed rebirth. In less than a single generation, determination has overcome despair, hope has outpaced hopelessness, swords have been beaten into ploughshares, and spears have become pruning hooks. 

Rwanda's success is rooted in: a unifying vision; the commitment to be a home to all Rwandans; and the tireless and tenacious efforts of her people.

But, these are my words. Let me share with you a Rwandan saying I learned that shows the value and the synergy of unity in diversity:

"Those who come (to act) together, God will join them" We - my American colleagues and I in this Embassy -- like so many of the dedicated people here tonight, who have come from other countries - feel both proud and humbled to partner with Rwanda in so many areas of great importance to both our countries -- and to share in the dream you are building.

I feel this every "ordinary" day when I work alongside my anything-but-ordinary, indeed, extraordinary Rwandan colleagues, inside the Embassy, throughout the Ministries, and across these thousand hills.

Before I close, permit me to thank my colleagues, Rwandan, American, and third country nationals, at the U.S. Embassy whose hard work has made this celebration today possible.  Let me also take a moment to convey Ambassador Symington's warmest greetings to you all.  He is in Washington, on a special, short assignment, and he looks forward to his return to Rwanda at the end of this month.

Finally, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to all of our Rwandan hosts in this country, from the President's office to the umudugudu administrations; at universities, businesses, collectives, cooperatives, and in the homes of good friends - the hospitality of Rwanda is unmatched.