Mozambican National Day

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- Press Statement

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 25, 2014

On behalf of President Obama and the American people, I am delighted to congratulate the people of Mozambique as you celebrate your national day on June 25.

My family has a special bond with the people of Mozambique. My wife, Teresa, was born and raised in Maputo. Her parents fell in love with your country and decided to raise their children there. Teresa's father was a doctor who would make her rise at dawn to help treat sick children from poor families. To this day, she still speaks their language every day at home and she carries the extraordinary spirit of your people with her wherever she goes.

Mozambique is a longstanding partner of the United States. Together, our countries are working to ensure peace, progress, and shared prosperity for all. We are especially proud of our joint efforts to strengthen democracy, promote economic growth, and combat the scourge of wildlife trafficking and other transnational crimes.

I wish all Mozambicans a joyous 39th anniversary celebration and a bright and prosperous future.