"Have a happy Fourth of July, as we celebrate and enjoy the holiday with friends and family! On this date, the United States of America declared independence, and became a new nation. The Declaration of Independencestated powerful ideals of freedom that were exceptional at that time in history, and are still relevant today," Amata said.

The historic document states early on: "We hold these truths to be self-evrident, 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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…"

The Declaration closes with this famous line: "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

Amata continued, "In American Samoa, the Fourth of July is another great patriotic holiday, along with our own Territory's Flag Day, that causes us to think of our own local many military families and veterans, and many Toa o Samoa serving and stationed all over the world. We honor your service and think of you year-round. This Fourth of July, may God bless the United States, American Samoa, and the cause of freedom!"

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