Dear John,

Happy Independence Day! As America celebrates, we at Americans United for Life want to share our own Clarke Forsythe's op-ed that appears in National Review today, "Why the Declaration of Independence Still Matters for All Americans." Clarke writes:

"Amid our national dialogue over race and justice, my family’s reading of the Declaration of Independence will be even more meaningful than usual this Fourth of July. At the core of the Declaration — the founding political document of America — is the principle that the consent of the governed is the foundation of the moral legitimacy of government. ...

"Lincoln taught that the authors of the Declaration 'meant to set up a standard maxim for free society, which should be familiar to all, and revered by all; constantly looked to, constantly labored for, and even though never perfectly attained, constantly approximated, and thereby constantly spreading and deepening its influence, and augmenting the happiness and value of life of all people of all colors everywhere.' Our equal creation, rather than our sex, skin, or group, is necessary to ground human dignity and our respect for every individual. The challenge to Americans is that each generation must gain a renewed appreciation for the truths of the Declaration."

I encourage you to adopt Clarke's family tradition this Independence Day weekend, and read the Declaration aloud with your family! And be sure to read Clarke's entire op-ed and share it widely to mark this day.

Also, Tom Shakely and Noah Brandt of Americans United for Life mark Independence Day with a special episode of our "Life, Liberty, and Law" podcast! Tom and Noah speak with Alexandra DeSanctis of the Ethics and Public Policy Center and Josh Craddock of the James Wilson Institute on Natural Rights and the American Founding on the Constitution, the U.S. Supreme Court, and pro-life jurisprudence.

Listen and subscribe to "Life, Liberty, and Law" for weekly conversations on the human right to life.

As I wrote last month, "I pray that we can come together as one people, one community, and one nation. I pray that Americans will step into our calling to be the refuge of the tempest-tost. I pray that in these difficult times, we will truly listen to each other, come together to find new paths and new solutions...."

This Independence Day we can celebrate the truth that what unites us always remains greater than what threatens to divide. We remain a free and equal people of a truly magnificent nation; I thank God for that and for you this Independence Day weekend.

For LIFE,
 
   
Catherine Glenn Foster, M.A., J.D.
President & CEO
Americans United for Life
 

Americans United for Life works toward the day when all are welcomed throughout life and protected in law. Consider supporting our mission of service.