Dear [firstname],
On this 248th Independence Day, we celebrate the freedom and opportunities we enjoy as Americans. Each year, this special day gives us the chance to reflect on what it means to be an American.
The United States is the land of opportunity, and there are nearly endless possibilities here for those who seek them. Like many other Americans, my parents came to this country in search of the American dream. In 1969, my parents emigrated from the Azores Islands of Portugal in search of more opportunities for their children here in the United States. After settling in the Central Valley, my dad started a small dairy farm in 1973. Throughout my lifetime I’ve seen how their sacrifice, hard work, and belief in the American dream paid off. America is the only place in the world where a dairy farmer and a son of immigrants can become a Member of Congress.
As we gather with family and friends this year to celebrate, let’s be grateful for the qualities that make the Unites States so exceptional and give thanks to the men and women who have fought and sacrificed for the freedom we enjoy.
I wish you and your loved ones a happy and safe Independence Day!
