What does America 250 mean to you?
As part of the Oregon Judicial Department's commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we asked our judges and court staff to submit 250 words on the topic, "What does American 250 mean to you?"
Below are some of their responses, plus a few additional thoughts on this commemoration from national court organizations.
Judge Steven R. Powers, Oregon Court of Appeals
Every Fourth of July, I subject my family to an oral reading of the Declaration of Independence. Not because it is perfect — far from it — but because it shows us that we do not have to accept what is and can work toward what can be. As Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg repeatedly recognized from the writings of Alexis de Tocqueville, “[t]he greatness of America lies not in being more enlightened than … other nation[s], but rather in her ability to repair her faults.”
Although the founders almost certainly did not envision someone like me as part of the self-evident truths given my personal background, I nonetheless find inspiration each year when I hear the words aloud. Each year different parts jump out at me as particularly relevant, and every year I am reminded to listen to the voice of justice and that we must act together to fulfill the promise of liberty. As Justice Thurgood Marshall observed, “Democracy just cannot flourish amid fear. Liberty cannot bloom amid hate. Justice cannot take root amid rage. America must get to work.”
On this 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, my hope is that we all find renewed appreciation in our founding documents and precepts like an independent judiciary and the rule of law. With that appreciation firmly in hand, we can build bridges together to form a more perfect union that sees you and me.
Nancy Cozine, State Court Administrator
I was born in Canada, to American parents, and though I returned to the United States before my first birthday, I didn’t apply to become a United States citizen until I was in my teens. The final step in the application process was an interview. I studied and worried that I might not “pass.” I did, and while I was fortunate in many ways and probably didn’t need to worry, citizenship was a big relief — I could finally work, and travel with my parents and siblings without fear of being separated from them.
While I remember being grateful, I also remember feeling a sense of responsibility: to vote, to speak when something seemed unfair, to contribute to my community, and to live up to the ideals of our democracy. To me, America is all about the obligation to communicate openly and work together to create, maintain, and improve the systems that keep us whole and balanced, as individuals and communities, and as a country and a global leader. Acting with integrity, grit, determination, and humility, and welcoming and caring for others as we go, are at the core.
We are all lucky to be here, and we owe it to each other to preserve the democratic principles that ensure our continued commitment to liberty and justice for all.
Kristen Matthews, staff member at Marion County Circuit Court
When people think of America, one of the first words that comes to mind is freedom. For 250 years, people have come here seeking it, fought to protect it, and dreamed of experiencing it.
The words many of us grew up pledging allegiance to — “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” — remind us of an important ideal: that freedom is strongest when it is joined with faith, service, and care for one another.
America has been a story of growth. We can honor what has made America great while still having the courage to ask, “How can we continue to do better?”
America 250 reminds me that freedom is a gift we inherit, not one we should ever take for granted. It was paid for through sacrifices endured in the fields, mines, factories, and communities where people fought to be seen, heard, and free.
As I reflect on this 250th anniversary, I ask myself: Are we honoring that gift? The answer will be revealed by how we choose to love, serve, and protect one another for the next 250 years, one better choice at a time.
The future of America is carried not only by government or written in law. Each generation has the responsibility to protect what is good, repair what is broken, and pass forward a nation worthy of those who come after us. The Land of the Free is built through our interwoven diversity — our differences are what make us America the Beautiful.
Conference of Chief Justices and Conference of State Court Administrators
As the United States commemorates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators join in recognizing the enduring principles of liberty, equality, self-government, and the rule of law that have shaped our Nation since 1776.
For 250 years, state courts have played a central role in giving life to those principles by resolving disputes peacefully, protecting individual rights, ensuring equal justice under law, and serving as an independent and impartial branch of government.
Every day, courts demonstrate that the rule of law depends not only on the laws themselves, but on institutions that apply them fairly, impartially, and independently.