2006 Speeches

Remarks On the Occasion of the 230th Anniversary of Independence

July 2, 2006

I’m pleased to welcome you all this evening to the U.S. Embassy to celebrate with us the 230th anniversary of America’s independence. Tonight we are celebrating July 4th in much the same way that Americans throughout the 50 states celebrate our national birthday—outdoors, with good friends, and with food from a barbeque.

We’ve invited a very special group of friends this evening, including Lebanon’s finest ambassadors, our Youth Exchange and Study grantees. I am pleased to welcome back 39 YES students who have spent the past year in the homes of American families, studying at high schools throughout the country. And we say good by to our YES Class of 2006, who in a few weeks, depart for the United States to begin their year as Lebanese youth ambassadors.

I’d like to say how happy I am to welcome, also, the YES parents here today. I thank you for entrusting your children to us. You should feel immense pride in your sons and daughters who represent the best of Lebanon to Americans.

Today we are gathered to celebrate a seminal event that took place 230 years ago. On a hot, humid afternoon much like today a brave group of men in Philadelphia put their names to a document declaring the United States of America a free and independent nation. But it took more than a stroke of a pen to transform 13 colonies into one strong, prosperous and united country. Thus, the importance of July 4th 1776 was not the birth of a perfect union, but rather the promise made by 56 men of diverse backgrounds and beliefs to unite for a common goal—a sovereign, independent and democratic United States of America.

Our July 4th celebration today aims to honor our past by looking to the future. We believe that our best investment in Lebanon’s future must be in expanding opportunities for Lebanese youth to reach their full potential. By investing in youth, we re-affirm the enduring and long-term commitment of the United States to Lebanon.

Today, in celebration of the opportunities we Americans have been so fortunate to enjoy, it gives me great pleasure to present checks to four American educational institutions in Lebanon and to four organizations whose activities embody our commitment to Lebanon’s future and our belief in equal opportunity for all.

Our support to the American University of Beirut, Lebanese American University, American Community School and International College, through USAID, comes as a gift from the American people and provides scholarship support for students with financial need. I’m pleased that we have students representing each one of these institutions with us tonight to witness the presentations I will make now:

To American University Beirut, I am pleased to present a check for $1,716,729.32, as part of a $2 million grant for scholarship assistance. 700 students from all faculties benefit from this assistance by receiving partial coverage of their tuition fees.

To Lebanese American University, I am pleased to present a check for $697,856, as part of a $1.4 million grant for scholarship assistance to benefit 157 students from all faculties.

To American Community School, I am pleased to present a check for $90,000, as part of a $300,000 grant for scholarship assistance. 104 students will benefit from this assistance.

To International College, I am pleased to present $20,000, as part of a $300,000 grant for scholarship assistance and library books.

I am pleased also to highlight American support for Lebanon’s future by presenting checks to four Lebanese organizations working with youth. Funding for these awards is a component of USAID’s Small Grants Program and aims to support organizations that improve the lives of Lebanese citizens in their communities.

It gives me great please to award Educational Charitable Association with a check for $48,000 to improve the educational capabilities of the organization’s charitable school “Mina Namozejieh Elementary School for Boys and Girls.” The school, established in 1946, ensures that children living in an impoverished neighborhood in Tripoli have access to education.

To the Social Guidance Association Mrouj, it gives me great pleasure to present a check for $44,000 to purchase computers, dormitory materials and kitchen equipment to better serve 225 children without families to care for them.

I am pleased also to present the Tyre Art Association with a check for $35,000 to buy computers and audio visual equipment to offer impoverished youth classes in basic reading, writing and computer skills to expand their employment options.

And finally, I am pleased to present Sagesse High School with a check for $10,000 to strengthen their education program for children with special needs.

I am proud that on the 230th anniversary of America’s independence I can present these checks—totaling more than $2.6 million dollars— for the direct benefit of Lebanese youth. The United States believes that there is no better way to celebrate its own freedom and independence than by joining with others who share a commitment to a brighter future. We are proud to partner with the organizations represented here today.

Our investment in Lebanon’s youth is an investment in the future and re-affirms our firm, enduring and non-negotiable commitment to Lebanon and the Lebanese people. As our Founding Fathers pledged on July 4th 1776, to work with each other to realize their vision for their newly created United States of America, so too do we pledge our support to the Lebanese people as they seek to secure an independent, sovereign, prosperous, democratic and united Lebanon.