Dear Fellow Republican,

Happy Independence Day!

On the 240th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I would like to take a moment and reflect on the words " 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. " These words, while written long ago, are just as true today as they were then. The spirit of these truths is the foundation on which America was built, and the foundation on which we must push forward.

As we celebrate with family, fireworks, and BBQ's, let us not forget why we work so hard to keep America the nation that it is. When the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence and declared the thirteen colonies a sovereign nation, they outlined the political structure that would make America the nation that it is.

We are a nation that is built of, by, and for the people. We value hard work, dedication, and independence. This year, let us rekindle this spirit of freedom and prosperity that made America a great nation. In the midst of the festivities, let us also be thankful to the men and women who have sacrificed to ensure that we keep the freedoms that we have become so accustomed to.  

Thomas Jefferson said "May it be to the world, what I believe it will be...the signal of arousing men to burst their chains...and to assume the blessings and security of self-government. That form, which we have substituted, restores the free right to the unbounded exercise of reason and freedom of opinion. All eyes are opened, or opening, to the rights of man. ...For ourselves, let the annual return of this day forever refresh our recollections of these rights, and an undiminished devotion to them."

We have much to be proud of as Republicans, and I would like to thank you for all you have done to make our Party and Nation successful. In the midst of this celebration, though, we must not forget the work that needs to be done to ensure this same spirit of freedom that was alive in 1776 is alive in 2016. That spirit of freedom can only be seen when men and women take an active role in government, in choosing our leaders, and in protecting our freedoms.

I look forward to working with you all in the upcoming months as we fight for freedom in our nation. In the meantime, happy Independence Day.

God Bless,
 
Steve Yates
Chairman   
Idaho Republican Party