Happy 4th of July!

What does celebrating two hundred and fifty years of the USA look like to you? To me, it means being with family, hearing my son Jeremiah read the Declaration of Independence (see program details here) before the big parade in Blaine, then more family time and cookouts and friends and fireworks.

But underlying it all is gratitude that we get to live in a country where the government recognizes that the foundation of good government is built on God-given inalienable rights like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I'm thankful for the people in 1776 who pledged – and those down the generations who have continued to pledge – their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to this worthy cause.

We wish you all a happy Independence Day!