U.S. Chargé d'affaires Michael Dickerson: Remarks on the Occasion of the Independence Day Reception  

July 2, 2025 Mr. President, Mr. Prime Minister, Members of the Government, Your excellencies, Dear friends and partners,   Buna seara, good evening, and welcome!  It’s an honor to celebrate American Independence Day with all of you in Bucharest.  Thank you for joining us.  We have the great honor of having U.S. Senator Mark Kelly in attendance with us here tonight.  Senator Kelly – thank you for joining our celebration!   It’s a beautiful night, and I hope you are enjoying the good food, good music, and good company.  As you can see, the theme of our celebration this year is “Red, White, and Blues.”   The Blues are America’s soul music.  Born in the Deep South, this iconic style of music began as the voice of a people seeking freedom, dignity, and recognition. It’s music that connects us not just through melody, but through emotion.  Famous blues musician and songwriter Wille Dixon said, “The blues are the roots and the other musics are the fruits.  It's better keeping the roots alive, because it means better fruits from now on.  The blues are the roots of all American music.  As long as American music survives, so will the blues.”   And those roots have been transplanted here in Romania.  Music, culture, and education connect the people of the United States with the people of Romania.  Festivals like the Urban Blues Fest here in Bucharest and the Jazz and Blues Festival in Brasov highlight how Romania has embraced this unique American art form and made it your own.  You’ve added your own unique flair—merging traditional instruments like the tilinc? with the Southern grooves of Mississippi and Memphis.  Artists like the legendary Rare? Totu blend styles, cross borders, and prove that music is strongest when it’s shared.   Tonight, we have a real treat for you with five live performances including: the Alex Tomaselli Band, Vali “Sir Blues” Racil? and Raul Kusak, Southernman Robbie, Marcian Petrescu and the Night Train, and Voice of Romania semi-finalist Alexandra Sirghi.   Now, in many blues tunes, you hear a dialogue between the vocalist and the instruments, particularly the guitar or harmonica, through a process called “call and response.”  This means the singer will sing a phrase (the "call"), and the instrument will then answer or respond with a musical phrase (the “response”).  This creates a dynamic and engaging musical experience for both performers and listeners.   Similarly, in today’s divisive political climate worldwide, it is essential that we hear all the calls of all citizens.  As the Trump Administration has said, all voices must be heard to create true cooperation, respect, and mutual understanding.   Tonight, we celebrate not just the founding of the United States 249 years ago, but the enduring American spirit of freedom, friendship, and shared values that binds nations together – including the special bond between the United States and Romania.   The U.S.-Romania strategic partnership has flourished for nearly three decades.  Our partnership is built on shared democratic values, a commitment to mutual economic growth in trade and energy cooperation in security and defense, and deep and enduring people-to-people ties.   As President Trump works to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous, we look forward to building on our strong relationship and shared history.   As ever, the U.S. commitment to Romania is unwavering.   Last year, the United States became the fourth largest investor in Romania.  This year, we hope to be the third.  American companies – you can see many of them here tonight – are driving innovation in Romania, fueling job growth on both sides of the Atlantic.  Many of them are sponsors, and I would like to sincerely thank all our sponsors – we wouldn’t be able to host this amazing event without you!   The strong U.S.-Romania security alliance is also well represented here tonight.  Our shared NATO responsibilities and joint law enforcement efforts, supported by innovative solutions from U.S. companies in the security sector, protect our citizens, defend our territory, and safeguard our freedom and democracy.   And a special shout out to the members of the Alabama National Guard here as part of the U.S. European Command State Partnership Program.  Guard members here are developing life-long relationships with their Romanian partners… and I hope they’re also inspiring a love of Alabama barbeque.   Barbeque is truly one of the most delicious American culinary traditions.  Whether it’s pulled pork from North Carolina, brisket from Texas, or ribs slathered in Memphis sauce, barbecue is more than food, it’s a ritual of community.  I hope you are all able to try some tonight.  And remember, no barbeque is complete without all the fixings:  cornbread, collard greens, baked beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw — each dish with its own story, its own roots.   And to our Romanian friends, hosts, and partners, thank you…for your warmth, your courage, your creativity, and your commitment to our shared future.  I would like to thank President Dan, Prime Minister Bolojan, and all of the many Ministers and other officials who are here tonight for your continued support of our strategic partnership.  Let me close by thanking my colleagues at the U.S. embassy who worked so hard on this event – first and foremost this year’s coordinator Rebekah Mobley.  You have created something special here tonight.  I wish everyone a wonderful evening!   Now, I would like to invite President Nicu?or Dan to give remarks.  Thank you!   (Source: Public Diplomacy – Press Office /U.S. Embassy-Bucharest)   (Photo: www. presidency.ro)