Curtis Announces 250-Mile Walk for America’s 250th Anniversary

Journey will honor values highlighted in America’s founding documents, Utah’s pioneer heritage
PROVO, UT —U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) today announced his plans to embark on a multi-day, 250-mile walk across Utah in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Averaging 30 miles of walking per day, the senator will start his journey near the northern border of Utah and end in his hometown of Provo on the Fourth of July.
As previewed in an opinion piece published in the Deseret News , Senator Curtis will use the occasion to highlight the values enshrined in the United States’ founding documents—the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution—and those exhibited by Utah’s pioneer settlers.
The Senator’s remarks as delivered can be found below. The video file can be downloaded here .
As you all know, this year marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence—America’s semiquincentennial, if you will. We recognize some of the most consequential moments in human history: A citizens’ army of patriots winning their independence from the greatest empire of the 18th century. And while accomplishing that military miracle, they forged diverse peoples, interests, and cultures into a unified experiment in democracy. Guided by Providence, the cause of those patriots prevailed, and the American experiment thrives even 250 years later. This moment invites us to look beyond the partisan politics of our time and deeply reflect on the underlying principles and values enshrined in our founding documents that have shaped our nation for generations. I’ve long thought about how I can best honor this occasion as Utah’s United States Senator. So, I’m announcing that starting next week, I’m going to walk 250 miles starting near the northern border of our state and ending in Provo at the Stadium of Fire on the Fourth of July. Averaging about 30 miles per day, I will walk through our local communities, having Utahns join me along the way, to reflect on and promote the distinctly American values consecrated in our founding documents, and also those exhibited by Utah’s pioneer settlers. These values matter now more than ever, and it is our sacred obligation not just to speak of them, but to live them. I hope you will follow along with me throughout this journey and reflect, yourselves, upon these values that make our families, our state, and our country so great.

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