Consulate Events – July 2009
United States Celebrates Its 233rd Birthday
Consul General Andrew Simkin and Mrs. Bess Simkin cut the cake to mark the 233rd Anniversary of American Independence at the reception at Taj Coromandel.
July 2: The American Consulate General, Chennai celebrated the 233rd Anniversary of American Independence with a gala reception at the Taj Coromandel on July 2nd. American Students Akshaya Iyer and Vishaal Sapuram from “Swaralayam,” a Houston-based Carnatic music school performed the Indian and American Anthems at the event. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent a pre-recorded greeting in which she highlighted U.S. commitment to democracy, tolerance, and justice, noting, “as President Obama said in Cairo last month, these are not just American values, these are core principles we share with people everywhere. So it is fitting that we open our doors and share this day with our friends and neighbors around the world. Our fates and our fortunes are intertwined like never before. No one nation can meet today’s global challenges alone. We all share responsibility for working together to ensure a more peaceful and prosperous future.”