Senator Phillip Wheeler: 250 YEARS OF AMERICAN TRADITION 

250 YEARS OF AMERICAN TRADITION 

An Independence Day message from Sen. Phillip Wheeler

As we celebrate Independence Day, we are reminded that the Fourth of July is about much more than fireworks, parades and summer gatherings. It is an opportunity to reflect on the blessings of freedom and the principles that have guided our nation for nearly 250 years.

This year, that reflection carries even greater meaning as America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary. For almost two and a half centuries, the United States has stood as a beacon of liberty, opportunity and self-government. The freedoms we enjoy today were secured through the courage, sacrifice and faith of generations who believed that our rights come not from government, but from God.

When our Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, they set in motion an extraordinary experiment in self-governance. They understood that freedom requires responsibility, perseverance and a commitment to principles greater than ourselves. Through times of prosperity and hardship, Americans have continued to carry that vision forward.

As we gather with family and friends this Independence Day, we should take pride in the resilience and character of the American people. We see those values every day in our communities across Eastern Kentucky and throughout the Commonwealth. They are reflected in hardworking families, small-business owners, first responders, teachers, farmers, coal miners, service members and veterans who contribute to the strength of our nation.

The American dream has never guaranteed an easy road, but it has always offered the freedom to pursue opportunity, build a better life and leave a stronger future for the next generation. That promise remains as important today as it was 250 years ago.

As our nation approaches this historic milestone, let us remember those who secured our independence, honor those who continue to defend our freedoms and recommit ourselves to the values that have made America the greatest nation on earth.

May God continue to bless the United States of America, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the people who call them home.

Happy Independence Day.

Sen. Phillip Wheeler, R-Pikeville, represents Kentucky’s 31st Senate District, including Elliott, Johnson, Lawrence, Martin, and Pike Counties. He serves as co-chair of the Interim Joint Committees on Economic Development and Workforce Investment and on Tourism, Small Business, and Information Technology. Wheler also serves on the Interim Joint Committees on Judiciary; Natural Resources and Energy; and Transportation. Additionally, he is a member of the Legislative Oversight and Investigations Committee and is a liaison member of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Protection.