Press Releases

July 4, 2009: Congressman Wittman Independence Day Statement

Washington, D.C., July 6, 2009

"On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence and served notice of the colonies' separation from Great Britain. It was a bold shot across the bow of tyranny; one whose echo still reverberates today."

"In a single, enduring document, Thomas Jefferson expressed the convictions and hopes of a nascent American people. To this day, our country is sustained by the philosophical underpinning that, ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights...'"

"The beliefs that burned in the hearts and minds of Americans in the late 18th century sparked a revolution that has propelled our nation to a position of leadership and responsibility unparalleled in history. For more than two centuries, our model of government and society has served as a city on a hill for the rest of humanity. The limitless ingenuity, resolve, and compassion of the American people will ensure that we remain an example for centuries to come."

"Since becoming your Representative in Congress, I have had the opportunity to visit with our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. I've shared long nights with the Watermen who work the Chesapeake and early mornings with the workers who show up before dawn everyday at the shipyards of Newport News. It has been a privilege to work with so many proud and resolute individuals throughout Virginia who embody the spirit of America. I am humbled to be your servant in Congress and wish you and your family a happy and safe Independence Day."

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He was elected to his first full term in November 2008 and serves on the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee where he is the Ranking Member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.