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 immigrants or nativeborn, 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 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.