2009 Programs And Events
Friends Join Embassy Staff for U.S. Independence Day Celebration (07/02/2009)
The U.S. Embassy in Tashkent celebrated the American Independence Day with a reception for nearly 700 of its friends, colleagues and partners in Uzbekistan.
The reception on July 2 was a chance for leaders in government, civil society, culture, business and the diplomatic community to enjoy a summer evening together on the grounds of the U.S. Embassy and take part in ceremonies celebrating 233 years of independence.
A U.S. Marines honor guard presented the American flag, and the Dip Notes – a group of singers from the Embassy’s staff – sang the U.S. and Uzbek national anthems, along with a few popular songs about America. Banners showing Fourth of July fireworks displays and one showing the original Declaration of Independence decorated the Embassy grounds.
Among the many guests were First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov; Diloram Tashmukhamedova, the Speaker of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament); Ilgizar Sabirov, Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis; Chairman of the Supreme Court Buritosh Mustafaev; and Murat Atayev, the Secretary of the National Security Council in the Office of the President, along with other leaders of the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
In his remarks, Ambassador Richard Norland spoke about “a new level of understanding with Uzbekistan,” and that the U.S. and Uzbekistan are pursuing further cooperation in fields of regional security, cultural exchange, human rights, democratic reform and economic investment.
“Those of us who serve at this Embassy feel fortunate to be in such an important, interesting part of the world at a pivotal time in history, and we are honored to be partners in our joint efforts to improve the future for all of our children,” Ambassador Norland said. “I express our sincere desire for continued deepening of the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and Uzbekistan in the years ahead.”
Each year, the U.S. celebrates Independence Day on July 4, the day in 1776 that the Continental Congress of the 13 American colonies declared their independence from Great Britain. Thomas Jefferson, who would later become the United States’ third President, wrote the Declaration of Independence as American troops were fighting the British in the Revolutionary War.
The American and local staff of the U.S. Embassy in Tashkent also celebrated Independence Day on July 3 in traditional fashion, with an outdoor barbecue at the Ambassador’s residence.
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