WHEREAS, each year on July 4, we celebrate the birth of our nation and the Declaration of Independence, recognizing our great country as an enduring symbol of freedom, equality, and opportunity for all; and
WHEREAS, the Declaration of Independence – signed on July 4, 1776, by the Second Continental Congress, forever enshrined these principles by the founding of a new sovereign nation – the United States of America; and
WHEREAS, our Founding Fathers, in authoring and signing this Declaration, recognized mankind’s “unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness,” and made them the foundation of America’s fight for independence; and
WHEREAS, every day, dedicated men and women of the United States Armed Forces defend the freedoms that were won at the birth of our nation. We pay tribute to the heroes who have given their lives for our country, and recognize the reservists, active duty servicemen and women, guard members, and veterans for their service; and
WHEREAS, Alaska is known as the Last Frontier, a great land of limitless opportunities. Alaska and her people embody the spirit of the American Dream through their resilience, tolerance, exploration of opportunities, and strong connection to their heritage, families, communities, and land; and
WHEREAS, as we commemorate the signing of the Declaration and celebrate the resulting 243 years of independence and freedom that have since unfolded, let us also take time to reflect on the meaning and true cost of liberty.
NOW THEREFORE, I, Michael J. Dunleavy, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF ALASKA, do hereby proclaim July 4, 2019 as:
Independence Day
in Alaska, and encourage all Alaskans to celebrate the birth of our nation and to honor those who have defended and continue to heroically defend our state and nation.
