U.S. citizenship begins at Fort Scott for many

Friday, September 30, 2016

By Jason E. Silvers

Friday was undoubtedly a memorable day for about 95 new U.S. citizens. The prospective citizens, representing several countries and cultures, took the Oath of Citizenship pledge during U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas naturalization proceedings on the grounds of the Fort Scott National Historic Site. It was definitely a special day for Samuel Gebrezgabher, one of many who were sworn in as new U.S. citizens during the ceremony. His sister, Yodit Gebrezgabher Teklit, also officially became a naturalized U.S. citizen. The siblings, who now live in Kansas City, Kan., are from Eritrea, an independent state in northeastern Africa. "This is a special day," Samuel said. "Seeing all these people. It makes us feel good." The applicants for citizenship also learned of their rights and responsibilities as new U.S. citizens. The ceremony included remarks from local and court officials, music provided by the Fort Scott High School music department, and the presentation of the colors by the Pittsburg State University ROTC. Holly Baker, chief of interpretation and resource management at the historic site, welcomed the new citizens and attendees of the ceremony. She said they would now join other U.S. citizens as guardians of the country's national parks. "You as citizens can join us in protecting these treasures," Baker said. "I hope you think of Fort Scott as one of your national parks." Dave Martin, city manager of Fort Scott, also welcomed attendees and said he was speaking "on behalf of the citizens of Fort Scott." "I'm humbled and proud Fort Scott will be the place where you take the oath," Martin said. "You are making a memory and bond that will go from here forward." Martin closed his remarks with lyrics from the popular Lee Greenwood song, "God Bless the U.S.A." U.S. Magistrate Judge Teresa J. James provided remarks from the court. "I love these ceremonies because it's such an important occasion," James said. After reciting the Oath of Citizenship, the applicants were told they would now have the rights, privileges and responsibilities of U.S. citizens. The new citizens' names, occupations and countries were read as they were introduced by a representative of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The applicants were informed they had met all formal requirements for U.S. citizenship. "When you're taking the oath, remember those freedoms and rights," James said. "And keep that oath to support and decent the U.S. Constitution." James mentioned two parts of the oath; the renouncing of allegiance to any prior foreign state, country or sovereignty, and a sworn oath to defend the Constitution and U.S. laws "against all enemies, foreign and domestic." "Let me be the first to congratulate you as new citizens of the United States," James said after all had taken the oath. "I salute you, and wish you well in your new status as citizens." Attorney Larry Nuss talked to the new citizens about their new freedoms as new U.S. citizens, such as the freedom of speech, which he said is "the right of every man." He also emphasized their right to vote, and encouraged the new citizens to register to vote in the upcoming November election. "Voting is the most important means of communicating wishes to our democracy," Nuss said. Nuss also led the new citizens in the recitation of the preamble to the U.S. Constitution. James acknowledged the organizations and people that supported the naturalization ceremony. Musical performances included "The Star Spangled Banner" by the FSHS select ensemble, "I Am a Small Part of the World" by the FSHS choir, "Freedom's March" by the FSHS band, and a combined performance of "America the Beautiful" by the band, choir and orchestra. The ceremony is the conclusion of about a five-year process of education and testing applicants must go through to become naturalized U.S. citizens. Criteria that is required of applicants is different for each applicant. Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act, according to www.uscis.gov.

Friday was undoubtedly a memorable day for about 95 new U.S. citizens.

The prospective citizens, representing several countries and cultures, took the Oath of Citizenship pledge during U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas naturalization proceedings on the grounds of the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

It was definitely a special day for Samuel Gebrezgabher, one of many who were sworn in as new U.S. citizens during the ceremony.

His sister, Yodit Gebrezgabher Teklit, also officially became a naturalized U.S. citizen.

The siblings, who now live in Kansas City, Kan., are from Eritrea, an independent state in northeastern Africa.

"This is a special day," Samuel said. "Seeing all these people. It makes us feel good."

The applicants for citizenship also learned of their rights and responsibilities as new U.S. citizens.

The ceremony included remarks from local and court officials, music provided by the Fort Scott High School music department, and the presentation of the colors by the Pittsburg State University ROTC.

Holly Baker, chief of interpretation and resource management at the historic site, welcomed the new citizens and attendees of the ceremony. She said they would now join other U.S. citizens as guardians of the country's national parks.

"You as citizens can join us in protecting these treasures," Baker said. "I hope you think of Fort Scott as one of your national parks."

Dave Martin, city manager of Fort Scott, also welcomed attendees and said he was speaking "on behalf of the citizens of Fort Scott."

"I'm humbled and proud Fort Scott will be the place where you take the oath," Martin said. "You are making a memory and bond that will go from here forward."

Martin closed his remarks with lyrics from the popular Lee Greenwood song, "God Bless the U.S.A."

U.S. Magistrate Judge Teresa J. James provided remarks from the court.

"I love these ceremonies because it's such an important occasion," James said.

After reciting the Oath of Citizenship, the applicants were told they would now have the rights, privileges and responsibilities of U.S. citizens. The new citizens' names, occupations and countries were read as they were introduced by a representative of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The applicants were informed they had met all formal requirements for U.S. citizenship.

"When you're taking the oath, remember those freedoms and rights," James said. "And keep that oath to support and decent the U.S. Constitution."

James mentioned two parts of the oath; the renouncing of allegiance to any prior foreign state, country or sovereignty, and a sworn oath to defend the Constitution and U.S. laws "against all enemies, foreign and domestic."

"Let me be the first to congratulate you as new citizens of the United States," James said after all had taken the oath. "I salute you, and wish you well in your new status as citizens."

Attorney Larry Nuss talked to the new citizens about their new freedoms as new U.S. citizens, such as the freedom of speech, which he said is "the right of every man."

He also emphasized their right to vote, and encouraged the new citizens to register to vote in the upcoming November election.

"Voting is the most important means of communicating wishes to our democracy," Nuss said.

Nuss also led the new citizens in the recitation of the preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

James acknowledged the organizations and people that supported the naturalization ceremony.

Musical performances included "The Star Spangled Banner" by the FSHS select ensemble, "I Am a Small Part of the World" by the FSHS choir, "Freedom's March" by the FSHS band, and a combined performance of "America the Beautiful" by the band, choir and orchestra.

The ceremony is the conclusion of about a five-year process of education and testing applicants must go through to become naturalized U.S. citizens. Criteria that is required of applicants is different for each applicant.

Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is granted to a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act, according to www.uscis.gov.