Ammon News - On June 26, the U.S. Embassy in Jordan commemorated the 248th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America at an event where Ambassador Yael Lempert highlighted in her remarks to guests, “Tonight is not just about America’s birthday, it is also about honoring the enduring partnership and alliance between the United States and Jordan – 75 years old this year.”
During the commemoration, the Ambassador showcased the more than seven decades of historical ties between the United States and Jordan, and American support for Jordan’s past, present and future success, including the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2001, which has created over 85,000 jobs in Jordan, U.S. investments of almost $2 billion in Jordan’s health sector, collaborative work on water security and supply with a U.S. investment of more than $1.5 billion over the past decade, and the breadth and diversity of cultural, educational, and security ties.
The event underscored the strong people-to-people ties between the United States and Jordan, that have benefitted both nations since the beginning of our relationship in 1949. The U.S. Embassy is grateful for Jordan’s friendship and the close cooperation between our governments and our peoples. “Our greatest assets are our friends and allies, and nowhere is that more true than right here,” said Ambassador Lempert.
Below is the Ambassador's full remarks:
Your Royal Highnesses, Your Highnesses, Excellencies, and distinguished guests..
Thank you for joining the U.S. Embassy team in commemorating the 248th anniversary of America’s independence. I am so honored to be with you this evening, at such a special occasion where we celebrate the bedrock principles of our nation’s founding – in the words of the Declaration of Independence, signed on July 4, 1776, “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
To our generous sponsors, whose support made this evening possible – thank you. You are a vital component of the U.S. partnership with Jordan, driving forward the economic and commercial ties that support our two countries’ prosperity, creating jobs and opportunities. I’m proud to share this evening with you.
And speaking of proud, I get to stand up here tonight, but it takes a much larger group of Americans and Jordanians who make this Embassy – the fifth largest in the world! - run, and advance our bilateral partnership, every day of the year, and I want to acknowledge them, starting with my terrific deputy, Ro Nepal, and the extraordinary team who are behind this evening’s event.
The U.S. Embassy team spans 44 offices representing a range of government departments and agencies, from the Departments of Commerce and Homeland Security to the Department of Agriculture, working every day to advance and strengthen the strategic partnership and friendship between the U.S. and Jordan in every possible area, in every corner of this country. I am reminded daily of how privileged I am to serve with this amazing group of dedicated professionals, working shoulder to shoulder with their Jordanian counterparts to advance our shared priorities.
Because tonight is not just about America’s birthday, it is also about honoring the enduring partnership and alliance between the United States and Jordan – 75 years old this year. Each of you is here because of your support for the friendship between Jordan and the United States.
This event obviously comes at an enormously difficult time in this region. The Gaza conflict is devastating and heartbreaking. As President Biden has said, “It is time for this war to end and for the day after to begin.” And while we work ceaselessly towards a ceasefire, we also are working relentlessly, together with our Jordanian partners, to get more desperately needed humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. We are grateful for the leadership and tireless efforts of His Majesty King Abdullah and the Jordanian Armed Forces, who have played such a critical role in delivering life-saving assistance.
This is my first July 4th in Jordan – I have been in this wonderful country 10 months now. And there are many lessons I’ve learned. And no, it’s not just been reaffirming my conviction that Jordan is home to the region’s – indeed the world’s - best shawarma (you all know it is true!).
What I have learned about Jordan can be best described in the words of one of my favorite poets, Al-Mutanabbi, who wrote:
على قدر اهل العزم تأتي العزائم
و تأتي على قدر الكرام المكارم
In addition to Jordan’s strength, Jordan is also without a doubt the most hospitable place on earth.
And I thank you for the openness and warmth you have shown me and my family, and my colleagues, and indeed all American visitors to Jordan.
It’s the same hospitality that I’m sure the first U.S. diplomat to lead our mission in Jordan, Wells Stabler, experienced in 1949 when he arrived here, which marked the beginning of the official partnership between our nations (and he wrote about hosting the first-ever July 4 reception in Amman almost exactly 75 years ago to the day, with a live jazz band! So we’re carrying on that grand American tradition tonight.)
Later in the 1950’s, the U.S. Embassy worked together with Jordanian partners to establish the first nursing school in Jordan, which evolved into becoming Al Bashir, the country’s largest public sector hospital. In 1966, we built the King Abdullah Canal together, which brought water to the population of the Jordan Valley. Fast forward to today – the U.S. has invested almost $2 billion in Jordan’s health sector over the past 20 years, working with Jordan to achieve a huge decrease in child mortality, and a huge increase in life expectancy (from 52 to 74 years old). We’ve partnered with Jordan to renovate and modernize almost fifty percent of the public sector health facilities across the Kingdom. And our work together on water security and supply – with a U.S. investment of more than $1.5 billion over the past decade plus – has directly benefitted millions of Jordanians across the country.
The strength of the U.S.-Jordan partnership, and you know it better than I – is in its breadth and diversity. Over seven decades, we’ve built military and security ties that make both of our countries safer and stronger, advanced economic development, offered opportunities for women and young people, strengthened education and healthcare, and promoted commercial ties - the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2001, has created over 85,000 jobs in Jordan. Thousands of Americans visit Jordan every year, awe-struck by your beautiful sites, and the U.S. is proud to have worked with Jordanian partners to restore and protect magnificent treasures like Petra and Wadi Rum.
I could go on and on, but suffice it to say the United States has made a massive investment in Jordan’s past, present and future success, something we are very proud of.
Our greatest assets are our friends and allies, and nowhere is that more true than right here.
Thirty years ago, His Majesty King Hussein stood before the U.S. Congress, and said how much he valued the long friendship between Jordan and the United States, that it has been an partnership “built on mutual respect and common interests.” And just a few months ago, His Majesty King Abdullah, standing next to President Biden at the White House, highlighted the “exemplary strategic partnership” between our two countries over the past 75 years.
As you walked in tonight, you likely saw the gorgeous 1956 Cadillac that President Eisenhower gave to King Hussein (and which was kindly lent by the Royal Automobile Museum to us for the evening.) President Eisenhower was the first U.S. president that a Jordanian monarch met. And ever since, American presidents have worked to strengthen our alliance, partnering closely with Jordan towards peace and stability in the region. It has not always been easy, but our relationship has endured and thrived. As President Biden said at the White House this past February, “we are grateful for this friendship.”
Let me echo that sentiment – I and my colleagues are grateful for your friendship, and we are so proud to be working with you to further advance and strengthen this vital partnership, building on 75 years of close cooperation between our governments and our peoples. So, thank you for joining us to honor America’s birthday, and please join me in raising a toast to the United States of America, to Jordan, and to our partnership!
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