In his maiden speech to the U.S. Senate, Sen. Marco Rubio on Tuesday called for America's "shining city on the hill" to remain a bright beacon for the world.
The son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio invoked his personal journey in describing the "American Miracle" of liberty, security and prosperity.
Opening his remarks with a brief list of financial success stories, including immigrant-spawned companies Nordstrom, Mattel and e-Bay, Rubio applauded the innovation and ingenuity resulting from "American exceptionalism."
But Florida's junior senator warned that an intrusive federal government threatens to shackle the country's future.
"There's nothing wrong with our people ... but our government is broken. It's keeping us from creating jobs and prosperity," Rubio declared.
Directing his remarks to colleagues on Capitol Hill, he urged lawmakers to "deliver on a few simple but important things ... find agreement on a plan to get control of debt, make the tax code predictable and ease up on regulations."
"But that's not where we are headed," Rubio said. "We have too many people in both parties who have decided the next election is more important than the next generation. There's a growing fear that the problems are too big."
The son of a bartender and a maid reminded that America has gone through tough periods before, citing bloody civil-rights battles and previous oil crises.
But, he added, the country "has made the world a more prosperous and peaceful place."
Turning to foreign affairs, the Republican senator quoted from President John F. Kennedy's never-delivered speech about America as "the watchman."
And breaking from some members of his own party, notably GOP presidential candidate Ron Paul, Rubio admonished: "We can choose to ignore global problems, but global problems will not ignore us."
Speaking of the 20th century as the "American century," Rubio mused, "Maybe this century will belong to someone else." But he took no comfort in that.
Pointing to the plight of women, children and dissidents throughout the world, Rubio asked: "If America declines, who will protect them? No one. No nation or institution on the planet is willing or able to do what America has done.
"Other nations' light is but a reflection of our own."
Rubio's personal story and call for a "New American Century" was applauded by Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., as well as Democrats Harry Reid of Nevada, Dick Durbin of Illinois and fellow Floridian Bill Nelson.
"No one is a better example of the American dream," McConnell said of Rubio.
Nelson, who is running for re-election in 2012, said, "There is a tradition that Florida's two senators get along" and thankedRubio for his "personal friendship and professional relationship."
Reaction at home was positive, too.
Brian Graham, a Florida Republican campaign strategist, called Rubio's maiden speech "impressive and inspirational."
"The message was conservative and expressed the exceptionalism of America in a way that only Rubio can truly articulate," Graham said.
Despite the bipartisanship and bonhomie, the Senate chamber appeared to be mostly empty.
Just prior to Rubio's speech, senators, voting along mostly party lines, fell one vote short of ending the ethanol tax credit, 40-59. Rubio voted to end it; Nelson voted to retain it.
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Contact Kenric Ward at kward@sunshinestatenews.com or (772) 801-5341 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting (772) 801-5341 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
