John,

This nation was founded on the idea of “liberty and justice for all.” But the truth is, our country has never fully lived up to that.

From slavery, to the disenfranchisement of women, to the disenfranchisement of the poor, to Jim Crow, to our treatment of indigenous peoples, to police brutality, to the discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community, and more, the history of the United States has always been a story of “liberty and justice for some.”

But what makes me proud to be an American is the people throughout history who have refused to accept this status quo. The activists and the everyday folks who in every era of our existence have stood up and demanded freedom for all of us.

Today, we see that legacy in the spirit of protestors who have taken to the streets to demand an end to police brutality and systemic racism. So when I celebrate Independence Day, I am celebrating the great people of our country who have demanded and -- over the long arc of our history -- achieved change.

Our nation’s highest aspirations are still under construction, and it’s up to all of us to finish the job. That’s why I am so grateful to have you on my team. Together, we will keep driving America closer to our founding dream of liberty and justice for all.

Happy Independence Day,
Hank