Today we mark the 234th anniversary of our nation's birth. Those of us here in the Mile Square City are fortunate to have front row seats for Macy's annual fireworks display. Whatever your plans, all of us here wish you and yours a happy and safe Independence Day.

Amid the fireworks, cookouts, and other festivities, let's pause this weekend and reflect upon the principles set forth in our nation's founding documents. More than ever, we need to understand, explain, and defend those ideals. As Ronald Reagan reminded us:

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."