July 3, 2026

 

From Dave Miller:

These words, from President Ford, were delivered to a crowd of immigrants at a citizenship ceremony on July 5, 1976. They are words we would expect, you know, from a sitting president of the entire United States: 

 "I am very proud to welcome all of you as fellow citizens of the United States of America. I invite you to join fully in the American adventure and to share our common goal and our common glory. . . . You have given us a birthday present beyond price—yourselves, your faith, your loyalty, and your love. We thank you with full and friendly hearts. 

The patriots of 1776 . . . wanted to build in this beautiful land a home for equal freedom and opportunity, a haven of safety and happiness, not for themselves alone, but for all who would come to us through centuries. How well they built is told by millions upon millions who came and are still coming. Immigrants came from almost everywhere, singly and in waves. . . . 

Such transfusions of traditions and cultures, as well as of blood, have made America unique among nations and Americans a new kind of people. . . . 

We offered citizenship to all, and we have been richly rewarded."