JULY FOURTH EVENTS
— President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of hundreds of military families gathered Friday on the White House South Lawn for an all-American barbecue and concert sponsored by the USO. Obama said the extraordinary sacrifices by U.S. service members are keeping America safe and free. he noted that July Fourth is always a special day for his family for reasons apart from the nation’s founding. It’s the birthday of his older daughter, Malia. She turned 16.
— Vice President Joe Biden, addressing the annual “Celebration of Freedom” ceremony at Independence Hall, said the lessons of the civil rights movement show that the struggle for freedom that began in Philadelphia more than two centuries ago is not over.
— Joey “Jaws” Chestnut dropped to one knee and proposed to his longtime girlfriend before Friday’s annual hot dog eating contest, then packed away 61 franks and buns to hold onto his coveted mustard yellow winner’s belt. In the women’s division, defending champion Sonya “Black Widow” Thomas lost her title to Miki Sudo of Las Vegas, who wolfed down 34 franks and buns.
— The national anthems of both Russia and the United States played at the traditional July Fourth garden party held at the home of the American ambassador in Moscow. But far fewer Russians than usual came, either because they were unwilling to be seen associating with American diplomats or because their anti-American statements had gotten them scratched off of the guest list.
Celebrating the ethnic diversity of America, President Barack Obama said more than two dozen foreign-born service members who became U.S. citizens at the White House on the Fourth of July are vivid reminders that welcoming immigrants “is central to our way of life.”
He pleaded anew for new immigration policies, saying the vast range of backgrounds and experiences that has made America a melting pot for more than 200 years also makes the country stronger. He argued that the system must be retooled for the U.S. to remain the greatest nation on earth.
“The basic idea of welcoming immigrants to our shores is central to our way of life, it is in our DNA,” Obama said after the 25 service members representing 15 countries raised their right hands and pledged allegiance to the United States.
“From all these different strands, we make something new here in America. And that’s why, if we want to keep attracting the best and brightest from beyond our borders, we’re going to have to fix our immigration system, which is broken,” he said. “Pass common-sense immigration reform.
The immigration issue is earning renewed attention because of the influx to the U.S. of tens of thousands of unaccompanied children from Central America. Under U.S. law, they must be returned to their home countries, angering immigration advocates who already take issue with Obama’s enforcement of deportations. They want Obama to allow the children to stay.
At the same time, Obama blames House Republicans for delaying action on legislation covering the millions already living in the U.S. illegally. A comprehensive measure the Senate passed last summer has been blocked by House leaders who also have done little to advance their own immigration proposals.
Obama announced earlier this week that, as a result of inaction on Capitol Hill, he will pursue non-legislative ways he can adjust U.S. immigration policy on his own. He scheduled a trip to Texas next week, mostly to raise money for Democratic candidates, but plans not to visit the border.
“I’m going to keep doing everything I can to keep making our immigration system smarter and more efficient,” Obama said Friday.
Obama said that since the nation’s founding 238 years ago, the U.S. has become the “greatest democratic, economic and military force the world has ever known” and a beacon for others looking on from beyond its borders.
“Immigrants from around the world dream of coming to our shores,” he said. “Young people aspire to study at our universities, other nations look to us for support (and) leadership in times of disaster and conflict and uncertainty.
“And when the world looks to America so often they look to all of you, the men and women of our Armed Forces,” Obama said.
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