Williamsport welcomes new ‘citizens of this remarkable country’
Fior Macon, of Williamsport, originally from the Domincan Republic, smiles as she receives and American flag during the Naturaliztion Ceremony at the U.S. Middle District Court in Williamsport on Friday.
KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Natnicha Burke, who originally from Thailand, speaks about her experiences in the United States, during a Naturalization Ceremony at the U.S. Middle District Courthouse on Friday.
New United States citizens and their guests recite the Pledge iof Allegiance during the Naturalization Ceremony at the U.S. Middle District Court in Williamsport on Friday.
Fior Macon, of Williamsport, originally from the Domincan Republic, smiles as she receives and American flag during the Naturaliztion Ceremony at the U.S. Middle District Court in Williamsport on Friday.
KAREN VIBERT-KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette Natnicha Burke, who originally from Thailand, speaks about her experiences in the United States, during a Naturalization Ceremony at the U.S. Middle District Courthouse on Friday.
New United States citizens and their guests recite the Pledge iof Allegiance during the Naturalization Ceremony at the U.S. Middle District Court in Williamsport on Friday.
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Just days before the nation celebrates its birthday, smiles abounded in the U.S. District Middle Court in Williamsport, where a naturalization ceremony took place on Friday morning.
In total, 33 people representing 20 countries as diverse as Belgium, Jamaica and Sri Lanka, gained
citizenship.
Judge Matthew Brann, chief judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, began the proceedings by noting that while, "federal courts are often called upon to rule on these rights, today is a wonderful day, because this court can bestow these rights."
After speaking on the topic of American Exceptionalism, "the theory that the United States is qualitatively different from other nations," Brann turned to the question of when American greatness began.
"British historian Andrew Roberts is noted 'in the debate over whether America was born great, achieved greatness, or had greatness thrust upon, the only possible conclusion must be all three.'"
But Brann was quick to quote former United States District Court Circuit Judge Learned Hand, in adding, "liberty lies in the hearts of men and women. And when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it."
Turning his comments directly to those who would soon take the oath of citizenship, Brann stated, "you will now become citizens of this remarkable country. You inherited a great legacy, also inherited a great duty."
Representing the new citizens, journey speaker Natnicha Burke, who resides in State College, began her path towards citizenship four years ago, after arriving from Thailand.
"I'm so grateful to be here, to become a citizen," Burke said. "Through my four years here, I have got a lot of opportunities that I can give to the country. I got a really wonderful family, good support, my husband, my mother-in-law and my kids. I look forward to looking for new ways to contribute back to America, to my community back in State College."
Burke, no doubt speaking for the group, ended her speech by stating, "I'm really grateful to be here and I'm so proud to become American today."
It was an especially long journey for Rachel Sin.
"I first came as a student 20 years ago, and I got my green card five years ago," Sin said.
In summing up her feelings of reaching the finish line of citizenship, she simply states, "finally," also joking, "you'll never get deported, right?"
Moustafa Moustafa and wife, Huda Soliman, also expressed their excitement. The couple first arrived in America five years ago from Egypt.
"It was an easy process," says Moustafa on their shared path to becoming citizens.
As for their plans to celebrate their first Independence Day as Americans, Soliman says, "a small celebration, with our kids at home."
The Daughters of the American Revolution were also on hand, handing out flags and congratulations to the newly minted citizens.
Brann closed out the ceremony with some lighthearted jabs at the requirement, in certain countries, that new citizens must take a photo with the judge, stating, "in the United States of America, you don't have to stay to take a photograph," but, reiterating Burke's speech, calling it "a very meaningful day," offering, "as part of that, if you would like to stay afterwards, we'll have photographs taken with you and members of your family, collectively."