Chuck Grassley: “this summer marks an important milestone in the great American experiment. On July 4, 2026, our country will celebrate…”

“this summer marks an important milestone in the great American experiment. On July 4, 2026, our country will celebrate the 250th anniversary of our founding--a nation founded on the universal principle that all people have inherent God-given rights. To protect those rights, our forefathers established a democratic republic. Throughout the year, communities from sea to shining sea will hold events celebrating our rights and freedoms. This is also a fitting time to reflect on our Nation's history. The story of America is filled with acts of courage and righteous struggles. America has not always lived up to its high ideals; however, the principles laid out in its founding document have proved enduring. The Declaration of Independence states: All men are created equal . . . endowed with certain unalienable Rights . . . life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This has been successfully wielded to secure freedom for those overlooked at our Nation's founding. One of those overlooked things that we are not very proud of--not proud of at all--is slavery.”