New Citizens Celebrate American Rights And Freedoms

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(Host) Sixty people became new citizens today in a ceremony that became a celebration of American freedoms.

As VPR’s John Dillon reports, the speakers offered insights into the rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution.

(Edelson) "Good afternoon, your honor, it is my privilege to present to the court 60 applicants for naturalization from 30 countries."

(Dillon) Once a year in late summer, the Vermont Statehouse becomes a federal courtroom for the legal process known as naturalization. It’s when immigrants from other countries take the oath to become U.S. citizens.

Federal District Judge William Sessions began holding these public citizenship celebrations on the first anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.

Sessions uses the occasion to give a quick primer on the rights, freedoms – and responsibilities of being an American. 

(Sessions) "The right of free speech is threatened whenever you do not speak your own convictions. Your own rights become threatened whenever you permit the rights of others to become denied. These rights of others must be defended and respected if you expect your own to last."

(Dillon) In his remarks, Senator Patrick Leahy talks about his own immigrant roots. One grandfather came from Italy, the other from Ireland.

(Leahy) "Now, neither of my grandfathers would have imagined that their grandson would serve in the United States Senate. I mention this because in this country, everything is possible."

(Hear children moving about)

(Dillon) The 150 seats in the House chamber are filled with men in dark suits, women in colorful headscarves, and wriggling kids who aren’t exactly overwhelmed by the solemnity of the ceremony.

(Oath) I hereby declare on oath that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure… all allegiance and fidelity to any potentate or prince…

Dillon) After the citizenship oath is taken, families pose for pictures with Judge Sessions, Gov. Jim Douglas and Senator Leahy.

Catarina Goes is 24 and moved to Vermont from Brazil 10 years ago. She went to Lamoille Union High School and the University of Vermont. She says she was ready to become a full-fledged citizen.

(Goes) "You got to think about it before you do it definitely, but I feel American already. But I’ll keep my culture. I’m still Brazilian. And that’s the great thing about America everybody can bring their own culture and make the American culture so much richer." 

(Dillon) Towering above the crowd is Majur Makor, a lanky 24-year-old who left Sudan in 2002 because of civil war. He graduated last December from Castleton State College. The citizenship ceremony marks another chapter in his life.

(Makor) "It was very good. It set a new beginning for me. This place in particular is really nice. This is first time I’ve been to Statehouse so having to meet the governor, Senator Leahy. I thought that was nice. I always wanted to be a citizen, so it’s finally finalized now."

(Dillon) After the ceremony Makor and the 59 other new Americans walked out into the sunshine for more pictures and family celebration.

For VPR News, I’m John Dillon in Montpelier.

 

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