Ambassador Moriarty’s Remarks at the American Alumni Association 4th of July Celebration July 30, 2009 Ladies and gentlemen, assalamu-alaikum and good evening. I would like to thank the American Alumni Association’s board for inviting me tonight. I am pleased to be here with you to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Whether you have spent one year in the United States or ten, that shared experience gives us a common bond. If you have been in the United States on the Fourth of July, you may have been to a parade, or seen fireworks, or had a barbecue. We may not have the parade, or the fireworks, or the exact same food here in Dhaka. But we can still come together to celebrate the values embodied in the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, 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.” For the past 233 years, that statement has been the foundation upon which Americans have worked, as our Constitution states, “to form a more perfect union.” This year, President Obama became our nation’s first African-American president. This was a landmark step toward fulfilling the promise that “all men are created equal.” This was also a landmark year for Bangladesh. The free and fair elections in December were a great accomplishment for all Bangladeshis. I was inspired by the enthusiasm I saw across the country as people took part in the political process and made their voices heard. I will never forget the sight of young, healthy voters carrying the aged and infirmed up steep steps to cast their vote. But this is just the beginning. Democracy is an ongoing process, and it requires constant input from its citizens to thrive. The excellent educations you have all received make you among the best prepared to help Bangladesh move forward. With your knowledge and experience comes responsibility toward those less fortunate. As I stand surrounded by people who have studied and taught in the United States, I would like to say a few words about the importance of education. As you all know, the promises of equal opportunity and inalienable rights cannot be fulfilled without access to education. I always talk about the U.S.–Bangladesh relationship as being grounded in three core principles: democracy, development, and denial of space to extremists. Education is at the center of all three. Informed voters make better citizens and help advance the cause of better governance. Education also drives development. It helps bring not just growth, but a chance for a better life. And education gives people economic and social options that are alternatives to extremism. Bangladesh has made great strides in improving access to education in recent years, and the United States is doing its part to help. We are training Bangladeshi secondary school teachers, not to tell them what to teach, but to help them learn skills that will improve their ability to engage students. We are helping improve English-language education in rural areas and in madrassas. We fund pre-primary education programs and have supported Sisimpur from the beginning. It is now the most widely-watched children’s television program in the country. We do this so that all students can go to school ready to succeed. We aim to instill a love of learning in children early on to ensure they stay in school and fulfill their potential. We also continue to invite Bangladeshi students and teachers to the United States. I recently met the departing Humphrey and Fulbright fellows, all potential future AAA members. I can assure you that they are as bright and inspiring as ever. Worldwide, over 285,000 individuals have had the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research through the Fulbright Program. The Humphrey Fellows are all mid-career public service professionals in both government and the private sector. They will return from their year in the United States prepared to apply what they’ve learned to their positions here in Bangladesh. I mention all this because you are the learners, and the teachers, who continue to cross boundaries to further the pursuit of knowledge. As you know, President Obama has made engaging the Muslim world a priority for his administration. As he emphasized in his speech in Cairo last month, this relationship must be based on “mutual interest and mutual respect.” As educators and scholars, you have shared more than book knowledge with your colleagues and students in the U.S. You have also shared your history and your culture. There are few better ways to increase cross-cultural understanding. Through your actions, you strengthen the bonds of friendship that draw our countries together. The United States and Bangladesh have a strong relationship that allows us to face global challenges as partners. You are the face and the heart of that relationship. I urge you to continue to reach out to Bangladeshis teaching and learning in the United States. They have an important role to play in Bangladesh’s development. Keeping Bangladeshi-Americans connected to their homeland ensures they stay committed to its future progress. Anniversaries such as this one are not just about remembering the past; they are about the present and the future. I look forward to continuing to work with all of you for the good of both our countries. Thank you again for having me here tonight.
Happy Fourth of July! | 
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