op-ed
228th Celebration of the Declaration of Independence
July 2, 2004
By the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy, Michael S. Owen.
This year, the American Embassy is observing the U.S. National Day in Dar es Salaam on July 2nd.
Although most people think that the decision about our independence came on July the 4th, the momentous decision of the Continental Congress to sever its ties to Great Britain came on July 2, 1776, which is the date that our second president, John Adams, thought should be celebrated by future generations. The Declaration of Independence, drafted mostly by our third president, Thomas Jefferson, was adopted two days later, but President Adams declared that, "The Second Day of July 1776 will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. . . . It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Sh[o]ws, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires, and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more."
July 2nd is also the 40th anniversary of the CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964. Signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, it declared illegal certain long-practiced forms of discrimination, authorized the government to take action against other forms and, perhaps most significantly, demonstrated a political consensus to wield federal authority against legal inequity "on the ground of race, color, religion, or national origin."
Forty years later, Americans still struggle to transform hearts as well as laws so that no one suffers from legal or social discrimination. Indeed, today, you are more likely to hear Americans celebrating their diversity than actively discriminating based on invidious distinctions. We all believe that it is our differences and the rich cultural traditions we bring to the American "salad bowl" that give us our strength as a nation.
The Civil Rights Act and our Declaration of Independence are linked historically by the values that underpin our country. The Declaration declared: "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."
The consent of the governed is something we think is very important. This week saw the transfer of sovereignty to a government of Iraq that is representative of the people. It is an important step away from the tyranny of Saddam Hussein, but it is does not complete the process of establishing a true government "of the people." My government has pledged to work with the interim government to prepare the way for a truly democratic government.
This week also saw the passage of AGOA ACCELERATION ACT OF 2004 (better known as AGOA III), a measure that demonstrates once again America's commitment to Africa's economic growth and development
As Edith Ssempala, Uganda's ambassador to the United States said at the signing, the passage of AGOA III is " new day for Africa and the United States" and a "sure demonstration" that America cares about Africa.
"By passing AGOA III," she said, "the United States has once again expressed its commitment to trading with Africa -- providing much-needed technical assistance and capacity-building support."
Although AGOA III promises much to those African countries that take advantage of its provisions, Tanzania has yet to benefit fully from its provisions. While her neighbors have demonstrated initiative and an entrepreneurial spirit that propels them into the modern trading system, Tanzania lags behind. It does not compete effectively with its neighbors. Today, I commit the United States to working with the people of Tanzania to take advantage of the promises of AGOA, but I must say that much of the work will fall to Tanzanians: You have to inspire your people to take full advantage of the opportunities at your disposal.
This week we have also announced that the United States has agreed to spend approximately $65 million in Tanzania on the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief - PEPFAR for short. This is money that will help thousands of Tanzanians cope with the scourge of HIV/AIDS, and is testimony to the friendship between our countries and the compassion of the American people.
The United States and Tanzania are allies. We work together every day in countless ways. May the friendship between our countries continue to strengthen, and may the people of Tanzania prosper!
Michael S. Owen is the Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of the United States of America in Tanzania.