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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFirst Lady Welcomes 50 New Americans at the National Archives
OLIVIER DOULIERY MCT
This morning, First Lady Michelle Obama welcomed 50 new Americans in a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
"This is an exciting day," the First Lady said in her remarks, "and it's just wonderful that I can be among the first to congratulate you on becoming American citizens."
Only a few feet from where she spoke was the Declaration of Independence -- and as she noted, none of the 56 Founders who signed the Declaration were born American, "they became American."
"Just like youre about to pledge allegiance to our flag, they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to this extraordinary idea that we now know as America - the notion that we are all created equal, endowed with fundamental rights and freedoms that no one can ever take away from us.
People come from across the globe to see these documents, to read the names and signatures of the very first Americans-by-choice, because they know that this room holds the first chapter of our shared history. And today, it holds the next chapter of our story, as well."
The First Lady also explained to the newly naturalized Americans the important role they will play in shaping America's history. "I know this is an exciting, hopeful time for all of you," she said, "but it's also an exciting, hopeful time for our country. Because the fact is, America needs you."
Immigration is at the heart of how we developed as a nation. In every generation, immigrants have earned their place as part of We the People. With the exception of just a few ethnicities, every person in this country can trace their history back to a parent, or a grandparent, or a great-grandparent, or an ancestor who made that choice to be part of this country.
And today, much of our success is because we still very much are a nation of immigrants. Immigrants start roughly one in four of our new businesses. About 30,000 permanent residents serve in our military. And according to one study, over the past 50 years, more than a quarter of our Nobel Laureates based in the U.S. have been foreign-born.
So in many ways, it is because of, not in spite of, our immigrant population that we grow stronger every single day.
Mrs. Obama reiterated that although the debate continues in Washington over fixing our broken immigration system, the President has made it his top legislative priority and will not give up the fight.
"This fight isn't just about abstract principles," she said. "It's about real people. People like you. People like us -- our fellow Americans."
The First Lady noted that being a U.S. citizen is an "incredible blessing," and reminded the new Americans that their work is just beginning:
What I hope you always remember is that, as citizens, we do not shut the doors of opportunity behind us. We preserve the promise of America. We renew it. We extend it so that future generations of Americans - Americans by birth and Americans-by-choice - can do their part to form the more perfect union that our founders imagined so many years ago.
So I want to once again congratulate you on this important honor, this extraordinary honor. And I wish you the very best of luck on your journey ahead as citizens of this great country.
OLIVIER DOULIERY MCT
read: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/06/18/first-lady-welcomes-50-new-americans-national-archives
watch:
Cha
(297,123 posts)Cha
(297,123 posts)First Lady Michelle Obama hugs an immigrant next to Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson during a Naturalization Ceremony at the National Archives in Washington, June 18
Just a different Shot..thanks so much for these Photo journals of what's going on with the O Admin, bigtree. I think they're important for our history, too. There's so much going on everyday it's hard to keep up and I really appreciate it.
TOD
bigtree
(85,986 posts). . . so often the media and others like to paint us a portrait of events according to their own bias. Nothing like seeing things firsthand.
And they humanize the subjects. I don't need to tell you how many folks work overtime to dehumanize these folks we elect and react to these photo essays as if their political sensibilities can't bear them.
I think what they fear is that folks will lose focus of the issues looking at all of the brilliant images, but I think the perspectives they provide actually enhance interest in these politicians and provide us faces and personalities to go with our discussion and debate.
Thanks for the thanks, and, you're more than welcome. As always, it's really my pleasure, Cha.
Cha
(297,123 posts)"I think what they fear is that folks will lose focus of the issues looking at all of the brilliant images, but I think the perspectives they provide actually enhance interest in these politicians and provide us faces and personalities to go with our discussion and debate."
Well said.. thank for saying it so eloquently, bigtree~
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Cha
(297,123 posts)to our roster, fresh!
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Those visions are what we work for everyday...
Such a wonderful thread, treestar, with great pics and the video.
Thanks!
flamingdem
(39,313 posts)inspiring!