Remarks by Ambassador Susan McCaw
Willkommen.
Sehr geehrte Minister, sehr geehrte Botschafter, sehr geehrte Freunde, meine Damen und Herren - Guten Abend.
Es freut mit sehr, dass Sie alle gekommen sind. Es ist wunderbar, Sie alle hier heute abend zu sehen. Meine Familie und ich und alle meine Kollegen von der US Botschaft, heissen Sie herzlich willkommen.
And a special welcome to the many companies that have helped sponsor this evening's event. You have seen their names posted at the entrance and on the printed program of activities. But I wanted them to know again how much we appreciate their generosity and their support.
Again, welcome to our Fourth of July celebration. This is the 231st anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is America's birthday party. It is also my favorite public holiday. I remember as a child growing up in California going to Fourth of July parties. We'd grill hot dogs and hamburgers, roast corn on-the-cob and make gallons of iced tea. Friends and family would gather to talk and eat and play games. And the evening would always end with fireworks.
Tonight, I can offer you the hamburgers and corn on-the-cob, but, unfortunately, not the fireworks. I've been told that would be an unacceptable fire hazard. I want memorable party but remembered for burning down the house. And, about the hot dogs - let me just say that last year, I told you that some 150 million hot dogs are consumed at July 4th celebrations.
Unfortunately, though, we did not include them on last year's menu. I've corrected that oversight this year. Like an estimated 75 million Americans who will be at barbecues today, we will be eating hot dogs.
As a child, I thought of the Fourth of July as simply a summer holiday - a time to get together with friends and family for a backyard barbecue. But as an adult, I have come to appreciate the meaning of the Fourth of July. It is a time to celebrate America and to reflect on our national values.
The Fourth of July is a time to be thankful for our freedom. A freedom declared by our Founding Fathers. A freedom enshrined in our declaration of independence. A freedom defended by generations of valiant men and women. And a freedom that should also be enjoyed by people worldwide. This year, we decided to choose a western theme for our Fourth of July celebration. Specifically, the Spirit of the American West. As you know, America grew geographically from the east coast to the west coast. Pioneers helped push the national boundary onward and outward to the Pacific Ocean. Most of us know the American West through Hollywood movies - we think of cowboys and Indians, wagon trains and chuck wagons, horses and guns.
In fact, for most people, it was a life of hard work and real danger. It was also often a life of great loneliness, as families lived and worked alone on farms and ranches miles from each other. But out of this hard life grew a strong spirit of independence and self-reliance. The belief that hard-working men and women could shape their own futures - that opportunities were there to be taken - that each individual could make a difference. It was a place of optimism. A place where the seemingly endless frontier offered not only opportunities, but also freedom. Like the patriots before them, these pioneers believed that freedom is a blessing and the birthright of every man and woman. Even as we face new challenges, we are confident that our legacy of freedom will always prevail. Our commitment to these founding truths remain steadfast.
So, please join us today in celebrating the enduring principles of the Declaration of Independence and the universal spirit of the American West. But before we get to those hot dogs, there is a personal announcement I would like to make. This will be my last opportunity to host the official Fourth of July celebration here in Austria. As some of you may know, several weeks ago, I informed President Bush and Secretary of State Rice that I would like to leave my post as U.S. Ambassador to Austria at the end of this year. I have also informed the government of Austria. My reasons are personal - not professional. It has been a great honor to serve as the President's representative to this wonderful and dynamic country.
My two years in this post will undoubtedly be one of the most remarkable and rewarding experiences of my life.
Wie Sie wissen, lerne ich seit zwei Jahren Deutsch. Mein Deutsch ist noch nicht sehr gut. Aber ich möchte Ihnen auf Deutsch sagen, wie viel mir Ihre Freundschaft und Ihre Unterstützung bedeutet. Ich liebe Österreich und ich liebe die Menschen hier in Österreich. Ich liebe dieses Land. Vielen Dank für Ihre Gastfreundschaft und für Ihre Zusammenarbeit. Meine Familie und ich werden Sie sehr vermissen.
Ich wünsche Ihnen alles Gute und einen schönen Abend!
