On the recordJuly 1, 2020
As America approaches her birthday, I want to wish the American people, in this most challenging time, a happy birthday. I want to be reminded of those whose status in this country is not a status of equality, but I do want to acknowledge the importance of the birthday and the freedom and democracy in this Nation. I want to thank the men and women of the United States military, and I want to acknowledge that any threat against those in the United States military is a serious threat. Any Commander in Chief that initially assesses a threat as a hoax should not be in that position. The Russian threat of bounty on our soldiers in Afghanistan must be fully investigated by every jurisdictional committee in the United States Congress, but there must be a response to Russia, because those soldiers are precious and they are precious in the fight for freedom and to their families and to this Nation. Again, as we wish a happy birthday, let us be reminded that those who have fallen in battle have fallen to continue to build on the democracy and the justice that we fought for and to make those who are yet equal, equal in the eyes of the law. We continue to fight. We must continue to defend our soldiers as they defend us. Happy birthday, America. ____________________
