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25 people become American citizens in ceremony at courthouse

CARA MORNINGSTAR/Sun-Gazette Participants in the naturalization ceremony raise their right hand while U.S. Judge Matthew Brann leads the oath to swear them to become citizens at the federal courthouse in Williamsport on Friday.

Twenty-five people from 17 different countries became citizens of the United States at the federal courthouse in Williamsport on Friday during the naturalization ceremony.

“The United States Constitution protects and preserves the rights of citizens,” said U.S. Middle District Judge Matthew W. Brann, who administered the ceremony. “Today is a wonderful day because the court can bestow those rights down by this ceremony.”

Brann said that those who were going to go through the ceremony were about to become citizens of a great country. He said that America’s exceptionalism can stem back as far as the Revolutionary Era.

“United States is exceptional in that it was founded on a set of Republican ideals rather than on iconic heritage, ethnicity or ruling elite,” he said.

Brann quoted the Gettysburg address to tell the crowd that in America, all men are created equal.

“America has guaranteed freedom, security and peace for more of humanity than any other nation in all of history,” he said.

While the excitement in the courtroom for family members seemed clear as people posed for photos near the American flag in the courtroom, there also was a sense of American pride with Brann’s words.

“You will now become citizens of this remarkable country. You inherit a great legacy and a great duty,” Brann said.

He said he knew that each of them had a journey to get to this ceremony from all the countries from which they hailed, but that they should be proud to have made it.

With the large crowd of the 25 people in the ceremony with all their families gathered in the courtroom, they were assured that the entire procedure was all about them and their hardwork.

“Today is all about you,” said Ken Williams, deputy clerk.

He assured the crowd that any crying babies were more than welcome, and no one should be worried about getting up to take photos of their loved ones.

Rong Jin Wang proudly held up her certificate to pose for a photograph while holding a small flag she got to take home provided by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

After everyone received their citizenship and flags, Brann said he was happy to pose with anyone who was willing for a photograph. He said he just wanted to make sure that they knew this was a democracy, and no one had to take a photograph that didn’t want one.

Brann congratulated everyone by shaking their hands and welcoming them to the country.

Georg Grassmueck, originally from Austria, said he was thrilled to go through the ceremony. He posed for a photograph with his family and Brann.

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