Scores Sworn in as U.S. Citizens at Monticello
Senin, 04 Juli 2011 by Android Blackberry
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| Scores Sworn in as U.S. Citizens at Monticello |
Thomas Jefferson’s words rang out across the West Lawn of Monticello as soon as once more on Monday, as 77 individuals were sworn in as U.S. citizens on a muggy July four morning. The ceremony began using the Honorable John Charles Thomas, a trustee of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, reading the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence.
Muhtar Kent, CEO and chairman of the board of Coca-Cola, was the keynote speaker. Kent, a dual citizen with Turkey, told the crowd that their new lives as Americans carried on Jefferson’s perfect for the nation.
“All of you represent dreams of the future … Dreams of superior lives, ever-expanding liberties and the pursuit of happiness,” Kent told the crowd. “So, pleased Independence Day, and welcome to the American family members. Indeed, welcome household.”
The new citizens represented 44 countries, from the United Kingdom to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some had lived in the United States for many decades before declaring their U.S. citizenship, even though other people came to escape oppression and poverty at residence.
Souradji Issotou, of Togo, West Africa, saw his citizenship as the end of a lengthy journey, and the beginning of a new life.
“I feel so fantastic,” said Issotou, who worked as a mechanic in Togo. “Now my plan would be to go property and pay a visit to my loved ones mainly because I haven’t observed them in six years.” Right after a much-needed pay a visit to, Issotou plans to continue his education with the aim of becoming a mechanic again. Issotou said he couldn’t work on cars here with out further education.
“In Africa, we work with our brain, not a pc,” he stated. “So you start the vehicle, listen to the vehicle and fix the dilemma. Here, you hook a computer up to the auto.”
Jenny Mendoza, who emigrated to Culpeper from El Salvador, said she came to the United States for much more opportunities.
“It’s an enormous distinction,” Mendoza stated. “We do not have the very same opportunities we do here, and I didn’t want my children to grow up in that.” Mendoza said she plans to total her psychology degree from the University of Phoenix and continue working for social services in Prince William County.
Janet Lincoln, of Somerset, England, has lived as a resident alien in the U.S. considering that 1980, and is excited to finally be a citizen.
“I feel elated, I mean, it was such a amazing ceremony,” said Lincoln, a retired executive assistant to the treasurer of the World Bank. “It won’t change much excepting that I’ll be extra active. I shall attempt to be a superb citizen.”
The ceremony was presided over by the U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia. In his remarks to the crowd, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals of the 4th Circuit, reminded the audience that disagreements are a key part of the American encounter. Without having them, Wilkinson stated, democracy wouldn’t be the very same.
“Consider the first Amendment,” Wilkinson said. “We wouldn’t want to defend the freedom of speech if everybody agreed. We wouldn’t need to have to defend the free of charge right to practice if everyone had the very same faith.”
Kent reminded the crowd that quite a few of the signers of the Declaration of Independence had been themselves immigrants. New citizens, Kent said, are a large component of what keeps America progressive and innovative.
“As a nation, we need to in no way forget that new Americans are our quite, very finest asset,” Kent said. “You embody the spirit of newness, of invention.”
Muhtar Kent, CEO and chairman of the board of Coca-Cola, was the keynote speaker. Kent, a dual citizen with Turkey, told the crowd that their new lives as Americans carried on Jefferson’s perfect for the nation.
“All of you represent dreams of the future … Dreams of superior lives, ever-expanding liberties and the pursuit of happiness,” Kent told the crowd. “So, pleased Independence Day, and welcome to the American family members. Indeed, welcome household.”
The new citizens represented 44 countries, from the United Kingdom to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Some had lived in the United States for many decades before declaring their U.S. citizenship, even though other people came to escape oppression and poverty at residence.
Souradji Issotou, of Togo, West Africa, saw his citizenship as the end of a lengthy journey, and the beginning of a new life.
“I feel so fantastic,” said Issotou, who worked as a mechanic in Togo. “Now my plan would be to go property and pay a visit to my loved ones mainly because I haven’t observed them in six years.” Right after a much-needed pay a visit to, Issotou plans to continue his education with the aim of becoming a mechanic again. Issotou said he couldn’t work on cars here with out further education.
“In Africa, we work with our brain, not a pc,” he stated. “So you start the vehicle, listen to the vehicle and fix the dilemma. Here, you hook a computer up to the auto.”
Jenny Mendoza, who emigrated to Culpeper from El Salvador, said she came to the United States for much more opportunities.
“It’s an enormous distinction,” Mendoza stated. “We do not have the very same opportunities we do here, and I didn’t want my children to grow up in that.” Mendoza said she plans to total her psychology degree from the University of Phoenix and continue working for social services in Prince William County.
Janet Lincoln, of Somerset, England, has lived as a resident alien in the U.S. considering that 1980, and is excited to finally be a citizen.
“I feel elated, I mean, it was such a amazing ceremony,” said Lincoln, a retired executive assistant to the treasurer of the World Bank. “It won’t change much excepting that I’ll be extra active. I shall attempt to be a superb citizen.”
The ceremony was presided over by the U.S. District Court, Western District of Virginia. In his remarks to the crowd, Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson, of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals of the 4th Circuit, reminded the audience that disagreements are a key part of the American encounter. Without having them, Wilkinson stated, democracy wouldn’t be the very same.
“Consider the first Amendment,” Wilkinson said. “We wouldn’t want to defend the freedom of speech if everybody agreed. We wouldn’t need to have to defend the free of charge right to practice if everyone had the very same faith.”
Kent reminded the crowd that quite a few of the signers of the Declaration of Independence had been themselves immigrants. New citizens, Kent said, are a large component of what keeps America progressive and innovative.
“As a nation, we need to in no way forget that new Americans are our quite, very finest asset,” Kent said. “You embody the spirit of newness, of invention.”
