U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar issued the following statement to commemorate Somali Independence Day, July 1, 2008. “I am honored to join with Minnesota’s Somali community in celebrating the 48th anniversary of Somalia’s independence from Great Britain and Italy.
“Both as United States Senator now, and as Hennepin County Attorney for eight years, I have worked closely with the Somali community. As a prosecutor, I got to know the community well after two Somali cab drivers were killed and we succeeded in bringing their murderers to justice. On a more pleasant note, I got to know many Somali families because their children were classmates and friends of my daughter when she attended Tuttle Elementary School in Minneapolis.
Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the United States – and I am honored to represent them in the Senate. I have always believed that America’s strength comes from the diversity of our people. Somalis are among those who contribute so much to the cultural and economic vitality of America, especially here in Minnesota.It is a happy coincidence that Somalia’s Independence Day is so close to our own July 4th Independence Day in the United States. The victory achieved by the people of Somalia in 1960 was the same victory achieved by the people of the thirteen American colonies in 1776: The opportunity to renounce our colonial status and to become an independent, self-governing nation. As a United States Senator, I am committed to working closely with Minnesota’s Somali community to help their country move forward to create a peaceful future. A stable, functioning Somalia is in the interests of both the Somali people and the United States. On this, Somalia’s Independence Day, let us recall the historic achievement of 1960 while also looking ahead with hope for a peaceful and productive future.’’
“Both as United States Senator now, and as Hennepin County Attorney for eight years, I have worked closely with the Somali community. As a prosecutor, I got to know the community well after two Somali cab drivers were killed and we succeeded in bringing their murderers to justice. On a more pleasant note, I got to know many Somali families because their children were classmates and friends of my daughter when she attended Tuttle Elementary School in Minneapolis.
Minnesota is home to the largest Somali population in the United States – and I am honored to represent them in the Senate. I have always believed that America’s strength comes from the diversity of our people. Somalis are among those who contribute so much to the cultural and economic vitality of America, especially here in Minnesota.It is a happy coincidence that Somalia’s Independence Day is so close to our own July 4th Independence Day in the United States. The victory achieved by the people of Somalia in 1960 was the same victory achieved by the people of the thirteen American colonies in 1776: The opportunity to renounce our colonial status and to become an independent, self-governing nation. As a United States Senator, I am committed to working closely with Minnesota’s Somali community to help their country move forward to create a peaceful future. A stable, functioning Somalia is in the interests of both the Somali people and the United States. On this, Somalia’s Independence Day, let us recall the historic achievement of 1960 while also looking ahead with hope for a peaceful and productive future.’’
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