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Cedar
Revolution Day address
Wednesday, May
11, 2005
Remarks of U.S. Representative
Thaddeus G. McCotter
On the Pending Lebanese
Elections
Cannon House Office steps, May
10, 2005
My friends,
it is the duty and the honour of every child of the American Revolution to
stand as one with his fellow human beings abroad who are striving to break
the yoke of tyranny and, finally, breath free; thus I extend my deepest
gratitude for the privilege of uniting with you amidst these transcendent
times of the Cedar Revolution, in which Lebanon's impending elections will
continue to signal her people's resurrection from Syrian domination.
Yes, we live
in transcendent times of trial and triumph, wherein we must surmount the
sins of the past to secure the hope of humanity. Let us, then, be steeled by
the realization we are no the first generation called upon to match the
moment and meet his sacred duty; and, let us too, heed the prudence and
deeds of liberty's valorous sentinels echoing down to us throughout the
ages. Indeed, in her heart-felt letter to her young son during American's
revolution, does not Abigail Adams eloquently address us?
"These are
the times in which genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of
life or the repose of pacific station that great characters are formed. The
habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. Great
necessities call out great virtues. When a mind is raised and animated by
scenes that engage the heart, then those qualities which would otherwise lay
dormant wake into life and form the character of the hero and the
statesman."
My friends,
the peaceful patriots of the Cedar Revolution are woven as one with every
heir of the American Revolution within the seamless weave of human freedom.
Let us,
therefore, celebrate our common cause, don our pins, and ensure our world is
ever aware of how the roots of Lebanon's "Cedar Revolution" must and will
reach deep into the hearts of every haunted, hunted human being and inspire
them to reach for freedom's fulfilment.
And when
they do, let the world recall how we and the Lebanese people humanely
embraced our task; transcended ourselves; and transformed our times into one
emboldened and blessed by the charitable bonds of liberty.
Thank you. |
