Chargé d’Affaire’s Independence Day Remarks

As Delivered

Hon. Speaker Koon,

Ministers,

Ambassadors,

Distinguished guests,

Dear friends,

Fellow Americans,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

All protocols observed.

I have the honor and privilege to welcome all of you to the United States Embassy’s celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday, America’s Semiquincentennial.

I would especially like to thank Speaker Koon for joining us this evening to help celebrate this auspicious occasion and the enduring partnership between our two countries.

I would also like to give a special thanks to our sponsors for the evening, who helped make this event possible:

Firestone Liberia

LISCR / Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry

International Bank (Liberia) Limited

Ivanhoe Atlantic Inc.;

BAU RAU Liberia Holdings Inc.;

Jeety Rubber LLC;

Cape Hotel;

AMI Expeditionary Healthcare;

Ibraluks Inc.

and

G5+ Breweries / Coca-Cola;

Please let’s give them a round of applause.

As we mark this 250th anniversary, we reflect not only on America’s founding ideals, that all people are created equal and should be free from tyranny and abuse, we acknowledge that the ideas in the United States Declaration of Independence remain as important as ever.

We reflect not only on our founding ideals, but also on the global impact of diplomacy and the enduring role of diplomacy in shaping our nation’s journey. Through the lens of history, we reaffirm the core belief that diplomacy is a cornerstone of American strength and leadership.

 

This semiquincentennial milestone reminds us that the American experiment—our pursuit of a more perfect union—is a living story, continually shaped by the hard work of generations of Americans at home and abroad. Much the same can be said for Liberia. The history of Liberia is also a living story that continues to be shaped by those here in the country and those in the diaspora, who have not lost touch with Mama Liberia.  Each one of us seeks to live in a society free from tyranny and abuse and to pursue a life of happiness.

Distinguished Guests, we cherish the friendship and strategic connection between the United States and Liberia, as well as the relationships we have with all the nations represented here today.

The United States and Liberia have a relationship linked by shared cultural and historic ties.  That relationship is evident in many facets, such as our collaboration on the United Nations Security Council.  Liberia took its seat at the start of this year, signaling to the world Liberia’s growing diplomatic influence as a democratic leader committed to both peace and stability in the region and around the world.

Liberia has also positioned itself as a positive force in maritime safety and security.  Earlier this year, the U.S. and Liberia signed an agreement that will allow U.S. and Liberian officials to embark on each other’s vessels when a situation calls for joint military cooperation at sea.  Bilateral maritime law enforcement agreements, such as this “Ship Rider” agreement, are effective tools to identify, combat, prevent, and interdict illicit transnational maritime activity, including unregulated fishing and narcotics trafficking.

As with many strong relationships, our partnership has grown and evolved over the years without breaking the bonds that make it so durable. Our connection remains strong — and is built to endure.

As we enter a new era of U.S. foreign assistance, the Government of Liberia is working with the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to develop a potential second compact, a move that could unlock substantial grant funding to advance our shared priorities of expanding electricity access, reforming the power sector, and furthering commercial diplomacy.  If approved, the compact would build on the success of the previous MCC compact, which invested approximately US$257 million in electricity infrastructure and road maintenance.  A new compact would also support another key sector in need of further development for Liberia, mining.

I’m also pleased with our cooperation on health care.  Under the America First Global Health strategy, U.S. health assistance to Liberia will help protect America by strengthening Liberia’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats, so outbreaks are contained before they spread across borders. Over the next five years, the United States is poised to provide over $150 million in health assistance to Liberia, supporting critical areas such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal and child health, and global health security. In turn, Liberia will potentially increase its domestic health expenditures by almost $51 million to gradually assume greater financial and operational responsibility for its domestic health systems.

As we mark America’s semiquincentennial, I can’t help but wonder what our countries will look like when America celebrates its tricentennial in 2076.  I believe the question history will ask is not what we inherited from the previous 250 years, but what did we built in the years that followed.

The current era of robust diplomacy, to which many of you in this room tonight have contributed, is the foundation that will move the U.S. – Liberia relationship forward for generations to come.

Thank you all for joining us and may God bless the United States of America and the Republic of Liberia.

Happy 250^th Birthday to the United States of America