June 30, 2009 - New York - In his national radio commentary, AJC Executive Director David Harris, considers the meaning of July 4th.  LISTEN.
"From the beginning, America has served as a beacon of hope for the oppressed," says Harris. "Just ask those who fled political and religious tyranny what America means to them."
Harris's weekly messages on the CBS radio network air during the Osgood File. All AJC radio commentaries since 2001 are available at www.ajc.org/radiocommentary.
The full text of this week's commentary follows:
This week, we celebrate the Fourth of July.
Amidst the fireworks and family fun, it's important to reflect on the larger meaning of our nation's birthday.
Freedom is a priceless gift. We owe those who've defended it more than we can ever express.
From the beginning, America has served as a beacon of hope for the oppressed.
Just ask those who fled political and religious tyranny what America means to them.
And America is a permanent work in progress, constantly seeking to overcome its shortcomings.
This, too, reflects our nation's greatness.
We know we must always do better to achieve our founders' vision 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."
On this Fourth of July, let's recall the words from the Hebrew Bible inscribed on the Liberty Bell: "Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof."
Happy Fourth of July, America.
Visit ajc.org.
This is David Harris of the AJC.
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