Community Of Values

[W]e are uniquely a community of values, as distinct from a religious community, a racial community, a geographic community, or an ethnic community.  This Nation was founded 200 years ago, not on ancient legends or conquests or physical likeness or language, but on a certain political value which Jefferson's pen so eloquently expressed.  To be an American is to subscribe to those principles which the Declaration of Independence proclaims and the Constitution protects -- the political values of self-government, liberty and justice, equal rights, and equal opportunity.  These beliefs are the secrets of America's unity from diversity -- in my judgment the most magnificent achievement of our 200 years as a nation.

-- Gerald R. Ford (1913 - 2006), 38th president of the United States, remarks at Naturalization Ceremonies at Monticello, Virginia (5 July 1976)