OPINION:
As America approaches its 250th birthday, we should ask ourselves a simple question: What kind of country do we want to leave behind for the next generation?
The answer is not found only in economic statistics, military strength or political victories. It is also found in the physical spaces that tell the story of our nation.
A great civilization takes pride in its history. It preserves its monuments, restores its landmarks and builds with confidence in the future. Beauty is not a luxury. It is part of national identity.
As a first-generation American whose family achieved the American dream, I understand the importance of preserving what makes the United States exceptional. Our history is visible in our architecture, memorials, public squares and civic institutions. When we allow those places to deteriorate, we send a message that our past no longer matters. When we restore them, we demonstrate confidence in who we are and where we are going.
President Trump understands this principle very well.
Whether it is his vision for expanding and improving the White House complex, restoring iconic spaces such as the Rose Garden or supporting projects that celebrate American greatness, Mr. Trump recognizes that our nation’s capital should reflect the strength, dignity and beauty of the American people. These are not vanity projects; they are investments in the symbols of our republic.
The same can be said for the National Mall and its Reflecting Pool. Millions of Americans visit Washington every year to experience our nation’s history firsthand. They stand before the Lincoln Memorial, gaze across the Reflecting Pool and remember the sacrifices that built this country.
These spaces should inspire awe and remind every visitor that they are experiencing the story of America.
Unfortunately, we have too often allowed preservation to become an afterthought.
Throughout my travels overseas, I have seen how other nations fiercely protect their historical character. In cities across Europe and the Middle East, governments and communities invest heavily in restoring historic buildings, preserving public spaces and maintaining architectural treasures that connect citizens to their heritage.
They understand that history is not merely something to be studied but also something to be experienced.
Walk through Budapest, Jerusalem, Prague or Cairo, and you see generations of careful restoration work. Buildings hundreds of years old are maintained with pride because their societies understand that beauty creates civic attachment. Citizens are more likely to respect places that reflect their history and values.
America should be leading this effort, not lagging behind.
From historic courthouses in small towns to monuments in our nation’s capital, we should embrace an era of American restoration. We should preserve what previous generations built and ensure that future generations inherit something worthy of their stewardship.
That commitment should extend to every level of public service. Whether it is a congressional office, a city hall, a veterans memorial or a public park, our civic spaces should reflect the seriousness of the institutions they represent. These places belong to the American people. They should be maintained with pride and designed to inspire confidence in our republic.
That was why I personally paid out of pocket to update my congressional office. It did not require a massive budget or a taxpayer-funded renovation. It simply required a vision. I wanted an office that reflected the dignity of the institution, honored our nation’s history and welcomed constituents into a space they could be proud of.
The lesson is simple: Restoration is not always about spending more money. Often, it is about caring enough to improve what we have inherited.
As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, we should think beyond parades and fireworks. We should seize this moment to renew our commitment to preserving the physical symbols of our national story.
America did not become the greatest nation in the world by thinking small. The generations that came before us built grand courthouses, magnificent memorials, beautiful parks and enduring institutions because they believed America was worth building for.
They were right.
A nation that values beauty values permanence. A nation that preserves its history preserves its identity. A nation confident enough to restore its landmarks is a nation confident enough to lead the world for the next 250 years.
As we mark America’s semiquincentennial, let us not merely celebrate our history. Let us also preserve it, restore it and build upon it for generations yet to come.
• Rep. Abe Hamadeh represents Arizona’s 8th Congressional District.
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