2006 Speeches

2006 Independence Day Reception

May 31st, 2006

The Honorable Phandu Skelemani, Minister for Presidential Affairs

Honorable Ministers here present

Colleagues from the Diplomatic Corps

Government Officials, Ladies and Gentlemen

Welcome to the American Embassy Botswana’s celebration of the 230th anniversary of the independence of our country.

I would first like to thank our Marine Security Guard Detachment for providing the Color Guard, and the BDF Jazz Band for the wonderful music.

I also want to thank the Embassy Staff who have been working for months to organize this event.

Now, most of you are under the impression that the anniversary of American independence falls on the 4th of July, and of course it officially does.

However, there are several reasons why we chose to celebrate it today.

First, a number of the American Mission staff are transferring to new postings this June, and I wanted them to be able to attend.

Second, I personally will be in Washington, D.C. on the 4th of July and I wanted to be here in Botswana for this celebration.

Third, it can be quite chilly here in July, even in the middle of the day, and we thought we had a better chance of good weather now.

While the 4th of July is a month off, yesterday we marked another important American holiday somewhat related to our independence – Memorial Day.

Memorial Day is a time for American to reconnect with our history and core values by honoring those who died for the ideals that gave birth to our nation.

The Observance of Memorial Day began as the American Civil War raged. Grieving family members of fallen Confederate soldiers in Columbus, Mississippi were caring for the graves of their loved ones, placing flowers on them, when they noticed that the nearby graves of Union soldiers, the enemy were dusty and covered with weeds.

Recognizing that these Union soldiers had loved ones as well, they cleared the tangled brush and mud from those graves and left flowers on them.

Soon the tradition of a “Decoration Day” for the graves of fallen soldiers spread.

It was a gesture of healing and reconciliation in a country ripped apart by years of internal conflict.

On May 5th, 1866, at the end of the Civil War, Henry Wells of Waterloo, New York, closed his pharmacy and suggested that all of the shops in town close for a day to honor all of the soldiers killed on both sides of the war.

On May 30, 1882, America observed its first official Memorial Day.

I am proud to celebrate both Memorial Day and the 230th anniversary of my country’s independence in Botswana, a country that also has a tradition of freedom and democracy.

Botswana will celebrate its 40th anniversary of independence this coming September 30th, and our two countries have enjoyed a strong bond during those years.

While there is a significant difference in the size and populations of our two countries, we nonetheless have many things in common, including the desire for a healthy and well educated population that can take advantage of economic opportunities and improve the welfare of all of our people.

We’re very pleased with our partnership with Botswana in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and will continue to work with the Government and private sector to assist Botswana in diversifying its economy.

By continuing to work together, we believe that we can succeed in achieving these significant goals.

On the occasion of the celebration of the independence of my country, I would like to commend the efforts of the people of this proud democracy, and propose a toast to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Botswana, Mr. Festus Mogae.

To the President