We Americans have always been a forward-looking, problem-solving, optimistic, patriotic and decent people.

Whatever our race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity; whether we are immigrant or native-born; whether we live with disabilities or do not; in wealth or in poverty; we are all exceptional in our commonly held yet fierce devotion to our country, and in our willingness to sacrifice our time, energy, and even our lives to making it a more perfect union.

Today, we celebrate one of our democracy’s core attributes: the peaceful transfer of power.

And every day, we stand up for core democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution: the rule of law, equal protection for all under the law, the freedom of speech, press, and religion — the things that make America, America.