COLUMN -- What does it truly mean to be an American?

Pioneer Press
Feb. 03, 2002

Excerpt --

Unique among nations, America is founded upon principle, not ethnicity. Being an American is not based on one's place of birth or one's DNA content.

In most of the world, language, religion and race define national identity.

In America, one's philosophical citizenship is based on acceptance of a self-evident truth -- that all men are created equal and endowed with the unalienable right to life, liberty and the individual freedom to pursue happiness. Living as an American (not just living in America) means anchoring one's civic life to that principle. One must make the choice to be an American in spirit.

Read the Column . . . .