Posts Tagged ‘Independence Day’

July 4, 2012: Ottawa

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

Today is – of course – a very special day for all Americans.  It’s the 236th anniversary of the Independence of our country.  It is a day when all Americans celebrate the values that make our country great.  A time to thank those whose foresight and determination shaped the course of our nations’ histories.  To thank those who defined freedom as a virtue and equality as a goal.

It is a time to thank the men and the women of our armed forces around the world whose service and sacrifice has protected those values that were enshrined in the Declaration of Independence 236 years ago today.

On a personal level, it is a time for me and my family to thank the Canadian people for the grace, the kindness, and the hospitality they have shown to us since we arrived as guests in your country three years ago.  For your warmth and for your friendship we will be eternally grateful.

We are celebrating what George Washington referred to as “the experiment entrusted in the hands of the American people.”  That experiment has served us well in times of peace and in times of war.  In times of plenty and in times of want.  It has been the answer to the cynical, to the fearful, and to the doubtful.

 And celebrate we did.

We started with two very special events courtesy of our Canadian friends.  First thing in the morning we went to a ceremony at City Hall hosted by, His Worship, Mayor Jim Watson, where the American Flag was raised and the Governor General’s Ceremonial Band played the Star Spangled Banner.  Then Mayor Watson presented us with a very special gift.  In May 1961, President John F. Kennedy travelled to Ottawa for his first trip outside the United States as President.  We were given a set of photos from the city’s archives of President and Mrs. Kennedy’s  trip.  They are very special to me as President Kennedy has been a hero of mine for a long time.  And his connection to Ottawa is special.

Then we went to Parliament Hill to be guests at the Changing of the Ceremonial Guard.  This time, the band (with bag pipes!!) played several American songs including one of my personal favorites, the Washington Post March (no it’s not named after the newspaper).

Then we went home for our traditional celebration.  This year we were trying to replicate a back yard picnic, like the ones Julie and I had growing up.  The biggest difference was this one was a little bigger than the ones we had when we were kids – bigger by about 4000 people.  Fortunately we have a very big back yard.

I have always done a lot of press on July 4.  And this year was no exception.  But one interview stands out.  This year, I did the weather on a live remote with J.J. Clarke of CTV Ottawa.  When it was my turn, I allowed as how this was the first time I had ever done the weather, that it was warm and sunny outside, and that I could now boast I was the only weatherman in history who had never gotten a forecast wrong!!  I am now retiring from the weather business with my record intact.  Kind of like the Rocky Marciano of weathermen.

We were joined by Governor Nathan Deal of Georgia and his wife Sandra who are in Canada on a economic development mission encouraging trade and investment between Georgia and their largest trading partner – Canada. 

A special treat was the musical entertainment.  RCMP Corporal Craig Kennedy sang the Canadian and American national anthems with great emotion.  Then, as has become the tradition, the Governor General’s Band of the Ceremonial Guard entertained us for half the event.  Next the Nepean All-City Jazz Band entertained the crowd.  This incredibly talented group of young people was recently featured at the Ottawa International Jazz Festival. They have earned Musicfest’s National Gold Awards for the past 25 years straight – which ought to allow them to retire the trophy.  They were great.

It’s been a long and exciting day.  And I believe we have honored the 4th of July in Ottawa as the day deserves.

 

DJ

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in July 2012 |

July 4: The U.S. and Canada: Neighbors, Partners, and Friends

Wednesday, July 4th, 2012

As we celebrate Canada Day and July 4 this week, I thought it might be a good time to reflect on the state of our bilateral relationship.
In short, I believe the relationship between the United States and Canada has never been stronger.

On so many fronts we are working together to achieve our shared goals: managing our border for greater efficiency and greater security; expanding trade for greater prosperity; and enhancing peace and security around the world.

The past couple of weeks have – quite frankly – been exceptional.

  • In Windsor and again in Detroit, Prime Minister Harper, Ministers Lebel and Baird, and Ambassador Doer met with Michigan Governor Snyder, United States Secretary of Transportation LaHood, and me, to finalize a decade’s worth of work on building a new bridge at the busiest border crossing between our two countries. Prime Minister Harper called it the most important piece of infrastructure that will be built during his tenure, a visionary project and great act of confidence in the future of the North American economy that will encourage investment and increase trade. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder noted that the new bridge will create tens of thousands of construction jobs on both sides of the border, and be a giant step toward reinventing Michigan.
  • Two days later the Canadian Parliament adopted a long-awaited copyright reform measure that will better protect the intellectual property that forms the basis for our North American knowledge-based economy.
  • The day after that, Prime Minister Harper and President Obama met to announce that Canada had been invited to participate in the Trans Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement of the highest ambition. One that holds the promise of creating literally millions of North American jobs by reducing trade barriers among Pacific nations, including Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
  •  Then two days after that the bi-national Executive Steering Committee created by the President and the Prime Minister met here in Ottawa to review progress on the Beyond the Border initiative designed to improve the operation of the Canada-US border to make it both more efficient and more secure. The conclusion of the Steering Committee was that we are on pace to meet the aggressive agenda and timetable set forth in the Action Plan by the President and the Prime Minister last December.

These achievements took place against the background of political and military cooperation between our two countries in Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, this hemisphere, and elsewhere around the world. Canada and the United States work together to foster the values we both celebrate on our National Days.

On the trade front the good news continues. From 2009 to 2011, trade between the United States and Canada increased by 37.8 % or $188.7 billion. Just last year Canadian exports to the United States increased by $41 billion (13%) or more than 10 times the increase in Canadian exports to China.

Canada remains the overwhelmingly largest foreign supplier of every form of energy to the United States. You send us virtually 100% of the electricity we import; 85% of the natural gas; and stunningly 27% of our foreign oil. The next highest foreign source of oil is Saudi Arabia at 12%!!!

None of this is to say that everything is perfect or that we do not — on occasion — have some bumps in the road. The economic challenges we face, particularly in my country, have, at times, caused strains. And it’s inconceivable that two sovereign nations with the largest economic relationship between two countries in the history of the world, two countries with the longest shared border in the world, would not have issues from time-to-time. But like the friends we are, we address those issues and we try to resolve them forthrightly.

As we honor these special days in our two nations I can say, on behalf of President Obama and the American people, that we are very lucky to have Canada as our neighbor.

Happy Canada Day. Happy 4th of July.

DJ

Tags: , ,
Posted in July 2012 |

July 4, 2011: Ottawa

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

This afternoon we had a backyard BBQ for 4000 friends. Luckily, we have a very big backyard. 

4th of July at the Ambassador's Residence

The party was great fun and there were so many highlights. But I have to start with the surprise appearance of Laureen Harper. Her presence says a lot about the extraordinary relationship between the United States and Canada, and between the President and the Prime Minister. It also says a lot about her love for BBQ. 

Julie Jacobson, Ambassador David Jacobson, and Laureen Harper

We also had a BBQ cook-off among three teams from the United States and three from Canada.  For three days, 25 of the best BBQ chefs in North America were camped out on my lawn. For three days I felt compelled to test their recipes. (I was joking that I needed to make a stop to see my cardiologist when this was all over. In fact, it turned out our friend Dr. Robert Roberts, the head of the Ottawa Heart Institute, was among the 4000.)  

I suppose everyone – including me – thought the U.S. was going to sweep the contest. It was my chance to get even for the Gold Medal Hockey Game. So I bet Mrs. Harper a couple of cases of beer. Alas, I took it on the chin again. The Canadians won Best Chicken, Best Ribs, Best Pork Butt (I don’t make up these names); and Best National Team. The Americans took the loss hard.  But I sense a new national rivalry developing!

A BBQ Chef prepares ribs for the 4th of July event

There were so many great friends who attended. Everyone had a great time. Most notably Julie and me. 

There are a bunch of people I want to thank for their efforts, starting with the Canadian people.  They have been our friends. They have welcomed us into their country and into their homes.  They have treated us like family. I can say without reservation that the United States and Canada are the greatest of friends and allies.  

Julie Jacobson, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, and Ambassador David Jacobson

The celebration wouldn’t have been possible without the volunteers from our Embassy and their families as well as the staff at our residence. They are the ones who deserve the credit, not Julie and me.

I want to thank John Woods, our BBQ guru, who assembled the teams and organized the competition in a flawless way. And I want to thank all of our sponsors. Our national day is NOT paid for by the United States government. It is totally supported by our sponsors. Without their generosity the event literally would not have happened.  

Juno award winner Sean Jones sings the Star Spangled Banner

On the music front, I want to thank our headliner, Ottawa’s own Lynn Miles; Sean Jones, who did a spectacular version of O Canada and the Star Spangled Banner; and the Governor General’s Band of the Ceremonial Guard, who performed good old fashioned 4th of July marching music for our guests.

The Governor General's Band of the Ceremonial Guard

During the party I had a chance to give a few reflections on the significance of the 4th of July which I would like to repeat here:

On July 4, 1776, in the yard of Independence Hall in Philadelphia, a man named John Nixon read a document which changed the course of history. That Declaration of Independence famously began: 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, 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. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed….” 

We are here today, 235 years later, to celebrate what George Washington referred to as “the experiment entrusted in the hands of the American people.” That experiment has served the American people well–in times of peace and in times of war; in times of plenty and in times of want. 

It has been the answer to the cynical, to the fearful, and to the doubtful. There have been times — like the present — when the road is long. The climb is steep. But we’ve always — always — made it to the top of the hill. 

One of the things I’ve learned since I got to Canada is that our two countries share so many of the values that are enshrined in the Declaration of Independence. Therefore, if all of us – Americans and Canadians – work together, we can change our countries … we can change the world for the better. We can continue Washington’s great experiment toward a more perfect union. 

American flag at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador

So I ask each of you to come together in a spirit of responsibility and mutual respect, to pitch in and work harder. Not only for ourselves, but for each other.  In the words of my boss Barack Obama: “This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time.”

DJ

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in July 2011 |

July 4, 2010 – United States Independence Day

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

To tell you the truth, I tried mightily last summer to advance my Senate confirmation so I could be here in Ottawa by July 4. I had been told our party on the lawn of the Ambassador’s Residence is the largest 4th of July party in the world outside of the United States. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. But today definitely made up for it!

Four thousand friends joined Julie, our children Wynne and Jeremy, and me for the celebration of the 234th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. It was kind of special to be able to say to those assembled: “On behalf of President Barack Obama, I want to wish each of you a happy 4th of July!”

Ambassador Jacobson and family at the 4th of July

Ambassador Jacobson delivers remarks with family at the 4th of July

The party was a celebration of the home state of President Obama and his family and me and my family – Illinois. Since we couldn’t be in Chicago, we brought Chicago to Ottawa. Among the invitees were all the foods you would get at an Illinois 4th of July party: deep dish pizza, Italian beef, Polish sausage, Eli’s cheese cake, beer, etc……

Cupcakes

Cupcakes in the shape of an American flag

The Governor General’s Band of the Ceremonial Guard played American patriotic songs – their repertoire is multi–national — as guests arrived and Julie and I shook MANY hands. O Canada and the Star Spangled Banner were sung by John McDermott, whose rendition has, with good cause, become a tradition at our celebration. And my friends from Chicago, blues greats, Lynne Jordan and the Shivers, thrilled the crowd with their set. At one point several of the guests were dancing up on the stage with them!

The Marine Corps Guard at the singing of the national anthem

The Marine Corps Color Guard present the colors during the national anthem

The 4th of July is an opportunity for Americans to give thanks to those whose foresight and determination shaped the course of our nation’s history. An opportunity to give thanks to those who defined freedom as a virtue and equality as a goal.

But those values have not come without enormous cost. And so it is also a day to give thanks to the men and women in our armed forces around the world whose service and sacrifice has protected those values that were enshrined in the Declaration of Independence 234 years ago.

It was also a chance for Julie and me to express our gratitude to the Canadian people for the grace, the kindness, and the hospitality they have shown us since we arrived as guests in your country nine months ago. From the first day, when we presented our credentials to the Governor General, through our travels across your vast and beautiful country, to those glorious Olympic Games. (Though I will say you weren’t quite as gracious as I might have liked during that hockey overtime.)

For your warmth and your friendship Julie and I will be eternally grateful.
DJ

Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in July 2010 |