OPINION:
“If we lose freedom here, there’s no place to escape to.” President Reagan spoke these words on the cusp of our nation’s 200th birthday.
This week, Americans celebrated the 250th anniversary of the United States of America. As backyard barbecues took place and fireworks lit up the sky, we honored the land of the free and the home of the brave, celebrating all that our great country has become over the last 250 years.
On the verge of the Revolution, Benjamin Franklin said, “Where liberty is, there is my country.” Through the fight for our independence, the Civil War, the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression and two World Wars, America has stood the test of time, continuously proving that freedom is worth defending.
The American Dream is celebrated and cherished because no other country can offer the promise of freedom and opportunity. Liberty, justice and self-governance remain the defining principles of our republic. These ideals did not emerge by accident. They were sought after by men and women who loved God and their family, choosing sacrifice over comfort and hard work over entitlement.
Growing up in the piney woods of Southeast Texas, I saw this play out firsthand. My father worked hard to put food on the table for my family before answering the call to serve our nation. He began a legacy of service that continues to my son and me. There is no greater nation than the United States not because we are perfect, but because we were founded on enduring principles of freedom. The liberty of the American people and the bedrock of faith will always be its greatest strength.
That spirit was on display again this month. As our nation celebrated its most significant birthday to date, we also welcomed thousands of people from around the world for the FIFA World Cup. As Americans celebrated with hamburgers and fireworks, thousands experienced firsthand what makes America exceptional. For years, the world has painted our country in a degrading light, speaking ill of anyone who found any pride in being from our great nation.
However, as you listen to the accounts of so many who stepped onto American soil for the first time, that could not be further from their experience. They witnessed southern hospitality, the beauty of the West Coast, and the hard work riddled throughout some of the world’s largest cities that fill our northeast. They bore witness to an American spirit of drive and determination, one that doesn’t give in easily and serves their community well, and is anything but lazy, because we’ve seen the fruits of the American Dream.
Freedom has never been free. For 250 years, Americans have willingly paid its price because the liberty of our children and grandchildren will always be worth it.
It is my prayer that long after my generation leaves the halls of Congress, Americans will continue to stand in the gap for what is good and true, what honors our nation and our Lord, and preserves the American spirit for generations to come.
• Rep. Brian Babin, D.D.S., Texas Republican, is chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and co-chairman of the Congressional Space Force Caucus. He also serves on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He and wife Roxanne have five children and 17 grandchildren.
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