On the 236th anniversary of America's declaring independence from Great Britain, Tennessee lawmakers offered statements commemorating the nation's history.
Sen. Bob Corker issued a statement saying he had been honored to recently present a medal to a World War II veteran for his service in Normandy, and he said that he would spend part of his July Fourth walking in an Independence Day parade.Â
"I'm reminded that our country is great because our citizens have always been willing to make sacrifices and tough choices to ensure future generations of Americans will have an even better way of life," Corker said. "On this Fourth of July, I hope Tennesseans will join me in giving thanks for the generations of Americans who have sacrificed to protect the freedoms we enjoy. I hope their example will inspire all of us to confront our nations challenges head on and work to ensure our best days are ahead."
Sen. Lamar Alexander issued a brief statement praising the nation's service men and women.Â
"It is easy to take our independence for granted and forget the great courage and wisdom of our founders, but today is for celebrating the hard-fought battles and remarkable principles that continue to shape our nation," Alexander said. "Today, our service men and women continue to fight to protect our nation and its principles and its freedom, and I look forward to taking some time today to pause in gratitude for their ongoing sacrifice."
Rep. Chuck Fleischmann looked back into history.Â
"On July 4, 1776, a small group of men in Philadelphia took a remarkable step. They declared themselves independent of the British king and founded a nation based on the ideals of liberty and equality under the law. These were revolutionary concepts at the time, but what these men did changed the world. In those days, rulers drew their legitimacy from the 'divine right of kings,' but our Founding Fathers broke the bonds of monarchy and created a government that derived its legitimacy from the consent of the governed."
