Wakil Presiden Kalla, Mentri Rudiantara, Mentri Basuki, Mentri Ibu Susi, Mentri Sumadi, Mentri Rizal, Mentri Eko, Mantan Presiden Yudhoyono, Mantan Presiden Habibie, para mentri, Secretary General Minh, Charge Dennis Shields, dan teman teman semua. Selamat datang di perayaan ke 241 kemerdekaan Amerika. Tema tahun ini “Kekuatan dalam Keragaman, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, dan E Pluribus Unum”. Ada banyak persamaan antara Amerika dan Indonesia. Kita menjadi negara demokrasi dengan budaya dan masyarakat yang ramah. Persamaan inilah yang menjadi dasar dan kekuatan kedua negara kita.
In the United States, Independence Day is marked each year with celebrations that bring diverse people together, often across geographic, social, and economic divides, to remember and appreciate the efforts of those Americans who sacrificed for the freedoms and ideas that we deeply cherish today.
Our two nations have much in common: rich histories, ethnic and religious diversity, and a vibrant democracies and a commitment to democratic processes and institutions.
We share many common values and these values were reinforced this year during Vice President Pence’s visit to Indonesia to reaffirm our Strategic Partnership. One of these main ideas is that all people are born equal and that for our countries to succeed, we must respect the rights, traditions, and believes of all our citizens.
In the eight months that I have been in Indonesia, I have had the opportunity to travel from Sabang to Jayapura , and in between. Everywhere that I have visited, I have been deeply impressed by the pride Indonesians have in their tolerance for different religions, ethnicities, traditions and cultures.
Just as the United States is a country made up of many different peoples and cultures, so too does Indonesia find strength and inspirations in the same qualities. It is no wonder that we have similar national mottos: Bhinekka Tunggal Ika and E Pluribus Unum – out of many, one.
This year’s celebration is particularly meaningful to me as it is my first as the United States Ambassador to Indonesia. I am honored to continue to work with our partners in Indonesia, and to strengthen the many ties between our two nations .
The displays throughout the Residence, including from the Dayak and Lakota tribes, the US Mission to ASEAN, and the many U.S. businesses present here today, reflect our shared values and the extensive ties between the United States and Indonesia.
Finally, I would like you to join with the entire U.S. embassy community to bidding a fun farewell to our outgoing Deputy of Chief Mission Brian McFeeters, and best wishes for his next assignment in Washington.
I would like to thank each of you for joining us today for all that each of you do to help strengthen our Strategic Partnership.
Mentri Rudiantara dan teman teman, terima kasih sudah datang malam ini, dan mari kita merayakan hari ulang tahun kemerdekaan Amerika.
Happy Independence Day!
