Remarks by U.S. Consul General John R. Nay

232nd Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America

25 June, 2008

Consul General John R. Nay welcomes guests to the 232nd Anniversary of the Independence of the United States and the commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the U.S. Abolition of the Slave Trade Act, June 25, 2008.

Thank you for very much for joining us today in this beautiful setting. We are here to celebrate the 232nd Anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America. This year is also the 200th Anniversary of when the United States officially outlawed the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

When our founding fathers drafted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776, they laid out a compelling vision of a free and democratic society in which "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." Over 200 years later, we still seek that vision.

There have been many milestones along the way and today we commemorate one of the major ones – the Bicentennial of the United States prohibition of the transatlantic slave trade. Few people know that the United States and Great Britain both passed laws prohibiting the transatlantic slave trade in the same month – March 1807. The British law took effect immediately, and the United States law took effect on January 1, 1808 – 200 years ago this year. These steps led inexorably toward ending one of the great crimes of modern times.

There is still much to do, however, to help advance freedom, advance human rights, and reduce suffering in the world. Two great nations of the West took separate steps for good, 200 years ago, to right a wrong. They did not do it out of self-interest, but because it was the right thing to do. 200 years later the United States and Canada today share not only share a border, and much history, but also continue to uphold these same traditions of good throughout the world.

These shared values are embodied in many of our founding documents – the U.S. Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, as well as in our legal and judicial systems. Our common values for good were shared twice on the beaches and in the fields of Europe, in Korea, and now in Afghanistan. Events in recent years have challenged our nations. In the U.S. we have had to look closely at the balance between safeguarding our national security, and preserving our rights and freedoms. Please know that we in the U.S. seek to carry on as a force for good in the world, in concert with Canada, our closest neighbor, as well as with our other friends and allies.

Now I would like to take a moment to recognize some of the dignitaries who are joining us today: Now Senator and former mayor, the Honorable. Art Eggleton; Ontario Minister Monte Kwinter; Toronto Police Chief, Bill Blair; the Mayors of several Ontario cities and towns….

I would also like to recognize some of our senior staff members who will be departing over the course of the summer – Consular Chief and Deputy CG Jeff Tunis, who is transferring to Jakarta, where he will serve as Consul General; Commerce Chief Michael Keaveny, who will be transferring back to the United States; and Public Affairs Chief Nick Giacobbe, who will have a sabbatical year to attend the National Defense University.

Each year our friends at the Park Hyatt prepare a cake for our celebration. This event would not be possible without our many sponsors, their names are listed on the placards at the entrance. Also a special thank you to the Bourbon Street Buskers for their very enjoyable music. Thank you for joining us here this afternoon and I hope you will stay and enjoy the refreshments.