July 4, 2026
Dear Friends,
Nearly 250 years ago, more than 10,000 American patriots — organized in regiments made up of farmers, laborers, and ordinary citizens — went toe to toe with the world’s most powerful army on the fields of Saratoga County. International observers gave this ragtag army little chance of victory against the British forces they faced. But the American militia scored an improbable victory in what would later be called the Battle of Saratoga.
Those who took the field of battle on those pivotal days fought not for territorial gain or riches, but for the revolutionary idea of a new form of government that derived its authority not from the divine power of kings, but from the consent of the governed. The American victory at Saratoga marked a turning point in the Revolutionary War, and the memory of that battle still serves as a reminder that from our very beginnings, America has been an idea we’ve had to fight for.
From the origins of our nation, America and its people have fought tirelessly to forge their own destiny, inheriting and expanding our civic responsibility to create an ever more perfect union. And at every subsequent turning point in our history through the generations — from the fight to end the brutality of slavery and the pursuit of civil rights to the ongoing effort to bring true liberty and justice for all — Americans have shown that when united in support of a noble cause, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome.
That unity is particularly essential in a nation like ours, where a beautiful patchwork of people with diverse backgrounds, viewpoints, and national origins come together to form the fabric we call America. The story of our nation would not be complete without the sweat, tears, joy, dreams, and hopes of so many children of immigrants who are citizens by birthright and pride themselves on being Americans first and foremost.
This week, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the doctrine of birthright citizenship enshrined in the 14th Amendment, confirming what is clear to anyone who has read the Constitution — that if you are born in America, you are American. This principle forms the bedrock of our post-Civil War order, ensuring that no one born under the jurisdiction of our Constitution can be denied the rights and freedoms it protects, and that no amount of racism or legal wrangling can undo that fundamental promise.
This decision represents a critical victory in our fight to ensure that our nation continues to reflect the welcoming, democratic, and tolerant principles it was founded upon. But make no mistake: our work to preserve those timeless values is still far from complete. Four Republican justices dissented from the Court’s decision to uphold the plain-text reading of the birthright citizenship clause, and immigrants and their families remain under relentless attack from the Trump administration and its allies.
So as we mark our nation’s 250th birthday, let us recommit ourselves to the generational struggle to build an America that truly lives up to our founding aspirations. Let us build a resilient America that always stands up to the whims of would-be tyrants and never forgets that we deserve a government of, by, and for the people. Let us build a confident America that fully embraces the beautiful melting pot of cultures, ethnicities, and religions that has built this nation into what it is today. And let us build a bold America that knows that we have never been bound by the shackles of history as we seek to write the next chapter in our shared future.
Just like the Battle of Saratoga, this fight will not be an easy one. But I fervently believe that, united by hope and love for our nation and all of its people, it is one we can win. I wish you all a happy Independence Day filled with friends, family, and joy.
As always, thank you for reading.
Your friend,
DID YOU KNOW?
My office and I are working to make sure you remain informed with the latest updates and recommendations from governments and agencies. With that in mind, here is some information that may be of interest to you:
- With extreme heat sweeping across our region this week, you or someone you know may need a place to keep cool and stay safe.
- With that in mind, I’m sharing the New York State Department of Health’s Cooling Center Finder to help you find a cooling center location near you.
- You can click HERE to view a map showing dozens of cooling sites located across our Capital Region and learn more about each facility’s hours of operation and other important notes about the site.
- Always call before you go to make sure a cooling center is open. Each listing includes a phone number for the facility.
