Political Quotes

“I rise to honor the more than 4.5 million Americans with Dutch roots who today, Dutch-American Day, reflect upon their heritage and the contributions of the Netherlands to the United States. In 1609, the industrious and seafaring Dutch settled the colony of New Netherlands and named their capital New Amsterdam. However, the influence of the early colonists was not limited to the shores of Manhattan, Breukelyn or even Lang Eylandt, Long Island as we know it today. Indeed, the colony ranged across the middle Atlantic region to cover parts of five States, including my own State of Michigan. Holland, Michigan may be a long way from my birthplace of Groningen in the Netherlands, but I still identify with my homeland. The ties between the Netherlands and the United States are significant and long-standing. Centuries before the U.S. Declaration of Independence, William of Orange--the Dutch version of George Washington--set forth his grievances with the ruling Spanish government. The grievances grew out of the Spanish government's tax policies and religious intolerance. Many years later, a similar scenario played out in the U.S., and Thomas Jefferson used the Dutch ``Proclamation of Abjuration'' as a model for the Declaration of Independence. The common bonds of freedom, human rights and democracy inspire my pride in my heritage. But the Netherlands is also a humble and gentle country filled with canals, windmills, and tulips.…”