The Sunshine Report We Hold These Truths Jay shares thoughts on the true significance of Independence Day. “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, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” These are perhaps the best known – and arguably the most powerful words in the English language. They convey a thought that is simple – but immediately understood. A thought that is powerful partly because it is self-evident. And a thought that inspired our Founding Fathers to pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to declare their independence from Great Britain and then go on to create the freest and greatest nation in the history of the world. This weekend we will celebrate the 4th of July - Independence Day - the 246th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Fireworks, barbecues, family, ice cream cones stacked high. These are just a few of the things that come to mind when one hears the words 4th of July. It’s one of the best days or weekends of the summer, depending on where it falls. With school being out and maybe a little extra vacation time, the festivities of the 4th always tend to have a uniquely special feel to them. In many ways, they tend to embody the reason we even celebrate the holiday at all. Not just the commemoration of the independence of our nation, but the establishment of a set of inalienable rights to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” as laid down in the Declaration. These words, and these rights, may come as second nature to us now, but there was a time in the world when they weren’t the norm, but the exception. And as history has taught us, to uphold and regularly enjoy these rights comes with a cost. As our nation is currently faced with new challenges at home and abroad, it’s more important than ever that on this Fourth of July, we remember what they mean both symbolically and as a legal precedent, not only in relationship to our own democracy, but to the world. Our nation is in a regular state of evolution, constantly striving to be a “more perfect union” as was described in the preamble of our Constitution. We have had our fair share of turmoil over the course of our history. Yet regardless of age, race, ethnicity, at the core of our identity as a nation and as a people has been a steadfast commitment to, and pursuit of, life liberty and the pursuit of happiness by all Americans. And, in order to continually become a more perfect union, the preservation of those inalienable rights must always be our priority. When it was first drafted, the Declaration of Independence used the word ‘property’ in place of ‘happiness’. However, after much debate it was changed to happiness, which for some meant that each American was left to his or her own devices to decide what their own definition of happiness was and how they’d pursue it, the origins of “the American Dream”. Legal scholars have debated its meaning in the context of the Declaration since its inception. Yet in a very uncomplicated way, I follow the logic of those who believe it to mean that each American is guaranteed the ability to freely live, in the pursuit of happiness, as we each define it. And as we go out and celebrate this weekend, remember that by doing so, it’s thanks to the rights that were guaranteed to us 246 years ago and that continue to be important foundations for our American way of life today. Read The Full Report What's Happening This 4th! Read More The Declaration of Independence – The Rest of the Story Read More Positive Profile of the Week: Steve Pelkey - He Makes the 4th Come Alive! Steve Pelkey is the man that makes the 4th of July happen in New Hampshire. Steve is a longtime resident of Jaffrey, NH who has the monumental task of providing most of the state’s fireworks via his company, Atlas Pyrotechnics. Steve has turned the company into a thriving family business where four of his six daughters work today. This is a uniquely New Hampshire experience as our friends to the immediately to the south have banned fireworks. It is probably no coincidence that Steve’s business is conveniently located on the Massachusetts’ border so that their good citizens can get a taste of the freedoms we enjoy here in New Hampshire every day! Steve has a lifetime of service being a veteran of the Air Force serving as a munitions’ specialist until 1986 when he began his career with Atlas. He would later go on to serve his local community in Jaffrey as the Chamber of Commerce President and then again as a State Representative from 2004-2008. While his passion for public service is well known, he now serves the entire state by orchestrating fireworks shows at weddings, community celebrations and other key events including the 4th of July! So, this weekend when you are enjoying firecrackers, sparklers, or even the occasional aerial shell, be sure to thank Steve for helping to make it happen! Steve, we appreciate your spectacular efforts! Quotes of the Week "We are called the nation of inventors. And we are. We could still claim that title and wear its loftiest honors if we had stopped with the first thing we ever invented, which was human liberty." Mark Twain Jay Lucas | www.JayLucas.us  ‌ ‌ ‌ Jay Lucas | 7 Portwalk Pl, Portsmouth, NH 03801 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected]