Celebrate Freedom

On July 4th, over three million people in Connecticut will celebrate the one holiday that reflects our country’s common purpose – our shared beliefs, our values and our continued resolve to build a better life.

Although we face many challenges, we should take a moment to reflect upon what we have been given, thanks to the bravery and sacrifice of countless Americans in the more than two hundred years since Roger Sherman, Samuel Huntington, William Williams, and Oliver Wolcott signed the Declaration of Independence. We are fortunate to live in a country where freedom, justice and equality, though at times imperfect, are everyday realities.

We speak, we worship, we vote, and we live as we choose. As far as we have come, there is so much more we need to do. I believe we should take these steps:

• re-energize our economy to get our 140,000 unemployed citizens working again, and encourage our entrepreneurs to start businesses and take prudent risks again;
• unleash our innovative and creative power to make our state a leader in energy efficiency, green technology and the production of renewable energy;
• reduce the achievement gap among our richest and poorest children and ensure that every student graduates from high school and has access to an affordable college education;
• provide comprehensive health care for everyone;
• demand the highest standards of ethical, accountable and transparent government at the federal, state and local level;
• encourage and inspire our young people to go into public service; and
• stimulate a civil and open dialogue about how best to confront the many challenges that face our state, our country and the world.

Our American spirit will prevail. Our state will emerge stronger than ever because we will step forward and do what must be done.

Let this Independence Day remind us once more of our great resilience and our incredible capacity to confront and overcome adversity.

Have a happy and safe Fourth of July.