Citizens at last

Members of the Kansas Army National Guard present colors at a naturalization ceremony, Friday, at the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

More than 80 people from various countries are now naturalized United States citizens following a ceremony Friday afternoon at the Fort Scott National Historic Site.

Eighty-seven applicants were sworn in at the public ceremony conducted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas as part of its year-long 150th anniversary celebration. The event attracted about 300 people, including those in the ceremony and their guests and numerous local residents.

Magistrate Judge for the District of Kansas David J. Waxse presided over the ceremony, which also featured a welcome from Fort Scott City Manager Dave Martin, musical performances by Stephen Sweyko and the Fort Scott High School band, orchestra and choir, an address from local attorney Zackery Reynolds, and the presentation of colors and "Pledge of Allegiance" by the Kansas Army National Guard.

During his opening remarks, Waxse told the soon-to-be U.S. citizens that even though they were going through the naturalization process to become American citizens, they would nonetheless still be U.S. citizens.

"Everybody that is a U.S. citizen today has relatives who were immigrants," he said. "There is nobody in this country who didn't start with some family immigrating."

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Representative Nancy Knudson introduced each new citizen, who represented a variety of different professions and 42 different countries. Knudson said each applicant, upon taking the oath of citizenship led by Chief Deputy Clerk of the Court Ingrid Campbell, had met all the requirements to be granted the rights, privileges and responsibilities of American citizens.

Members of the Fort Scott High School Choir, led by Pat Harry, sing at the naturalization ceremony.

"You're all taking a very important step in becoming American citizens today," Waxse said.

Waxse also told the new citizens he hopes they work to uphold freedoms and rights granted to all U.S. citizens and that they will "support and defend the Constitution." He added he wished to salute the new citizens and wish them well for the future.

"Let me be the first to congratulate you on becoming new citizens of the United States," he said after each applicant had recited the oath of citizenship.

Eighty-seven people from a variety of countries took the oath of citizenship at a naturalization ceremony at Fort Scott National Historic Site on Friday. The proceedings were conducted by the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas.

Reynolds, the keynote speaker for the event, thanked all those groups and individuals involved in organizing the ceremony. He also welcomed the new citizens and explained their rights as U.S. citizens.

"You are all now our brothers and sisters," he said. "Eighty-seven of you are now one of us."

The event included performances of "The Star Spangled Banner" by the FSHS Select Ensemble, "America the Beautiful" and "God Bless America" by the FSHS band, orchestra and choir, "Home on the Range" by the FSHS band, and "God Bless the U.S.A." by Sweyko. The "Pledge of Allegiance" also was recited.

Throughout 2011, the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas is celebrating its sesquicentennial with special events and naturalization ceremonies across the state.

The U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas partners with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service by hosting more than 20 naturalization ceremonies each year. At these ceremonies, individuals who have completed the requirements for citizenship take the Oath of Allegiance and become U.S. citizens.

Along with Fort Scott, in 2011, the court is hosting naturalization ceremonies in cities throughout Kansas where it has historically held court, including Dodge City, Hutchinson, Kansas City, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Salina, Topeka and Wichita.