Dear Friends,
This Fourth of July is unlike any other in our lifetime. As we celebrate Independence Day, we also commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth. From July 4, 1776, to July 4, 2026, America has traveled an extraordinary journey that began when our Founding Fathers boldly declared that liberty was worth defending and that government should derive its power from the consent of the governed-not from a king or a monarchy, but from a free people.
For two and a half centuries, our nation has faced wars, economic hardships, political divisions, and moments of great uncertainty. Yet through every challenge, the American people have persevered. The United States has endured as the world’s oldest continuous constitutional democratic republic because each generation has accepted the responsibility of preserving the freedoms entrusted to them.
I believe deeply in America’s future. I believe our greatest days are still ahead of us. But that future is not guaranteed. Freedom is never inherited automatically-it is protected, strengthened, and renewed by ordinary citizens who choose to become involved.
That is why I encourage every member of our ILA family to remain engaged in the democratic process. This November, every state in the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District will hold important elections. Each of us has the opportunity to make our voices heard by supporting candidates who respect the dignity of work, understand the value of collective bargaining, and stand with working men and women. Casting a ballot is more than a constitutional right; it is a responsibility we owe to those who came before us and a gift we leave to those who will follow.
As Americans, we should never stop striving to build “a more perfect Union.” That responsibility belongs to all of us, regardless of our differences. When working families participate, democracy is stronger. When good people remain silent, others make decisions for them.
As you celebrate this historic Fourth of July with your family and friends, take a moment to appreciate the blessings of living in the greatest nation on earth and to remember the countless men and women whose courage and sacrifice have preserved our freedom for 250 years.
On behalf of the officers and staff of the South Atlantic and Gulf Coast District, thank you for your hard work, your dedication to our union, and your commitment to the values that have always made the International Longshoremen’s Association one of the strongest labor organizations in America.
Have a wonderful Fourth of July. Celebrate safely, enjoy your time with loved ones, and take pride in the remarkable nation we are privileged to call home.
May God bless each of you and your families. May God bless those who wear the uniform in defense of our freedoms. And may God continue to bless the United States of America.
Fraternally,
Alan A. Robb
President
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