Russian, 104, Becomes a U.S. Citizen

The Moscow Times.com ^ | Friday, Dec. 19, 2003. | By Duncan Mansfield, The Associated Press

[aculeus]

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee -- A 104-year-old Russian immigrant realized a dream by becoming a U.S. citizen -- one of the oldest immigrants ever to take the oath.

The naturalization ceremony Wednesday was held at a hospital where Shlema Livshits is being treated for a heart condition.

"It is beyond belief to be here this day, to see my great-grandfather become a citizen," said 22-year-old Vladislav Merkulov, a University of Tennessee student who became a U.S. citizen two years ago.

Nurses joined dignitaries, immigration officials and Livshits' family as U.S. District Judge Tom Varlan administered the oath of citizenship to Livshits from his hospital bed.

With encouragement, Livshits responded with a single word, "Da."

The World War II veteran wore a dark suit, and on the lapel were five medals and fading ribbons honoring his military service and his role in freeing his hometown of Leningrad, now St. Petersburg, in World War II.

He is also a veteran of the Russian Civil War.

Livshits, who is Jewish, supported his family working in a shoe factory and never escaped the sting of anti-Semitism. "He always was afraid to go to a synagogue," said his 71-year-old son, Vladimir Livshits.

Most of the family left Russia in 1994. The senior Livshits arrived in 1996.

As much as Livshits loved Russia, "he wanted to become a citizen," his great-grandson said. "The will to become a citizen was more than staying over there."

Immigration officials said Livshits may be the oldest immigrant to become a U.S. citizen but that records are too numerous to confirm, noting more than 8 million immigrants have become U.S. citizens since 1995.

[Tennessee_Bob]

Why am I proud?

It's simple - a quote that the Moscow Times didn't put in their version of the story:

"My father admired the U.S. all his life," said Livshits' son, Vladimir Livshits, 72. "When I was a boy, he explained it to me. He looked forward to becoming a U.S. citizen."

And because of this one:

"I'm excited," Vladimir Livshits said prior to the ceremony. "If I can talk to you in Russian, I can explain my feelings very well. I not like - I love America."

Because this immigrant family that will be "a drain on Society," is more grateful towards this country than a lot of American citizens are, or ever will be.

http://www.knoxnews.com/kns/local_news/article/0,1406,KNS_347_2513550,00.html

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

That is a fairly common name. I know a family named Lifshitz.

[sharkhawk]

Of course their grateful, they are getting a free ride. Admired America his whole life? He fought in the Russian Civil war, his son's name is Vladimir, want to guess which side he fought on? My guess is this was a Commie apparatchik, who decided to find his Jewishness after they lost their privlages. What do immigrants who come here in their 60's, 70's and 80's provide to this country? Nothing, and they do collect Social Security and Medicare.

[sharkhawk]

Of course we are all immigrants. My parents were both immigrants after World War II, Polish refugees. But they worked when they came here, had a sponser who swore an oath they would not become a drain on society. This man fought in the Russian civil war, and has a son named Vladimir, I can guess which side he fought on.

[RusIvan]

He fought in the Russian Civil war, his son's name is Vladimir, want to guess which side he fought on? My guess is this was a Commie apparatchik, who decided to find his Jewishness after they lost their privlages. ===

You probably right. The name Lifshitz isn't russian. He probably is one of those jews who fought for bolshevicks. Then they lost thier influence to Stalin.

[Decombobulator]

What's so bad about the name Vladimir? That's a common slavic name.

Also most immigrants who came during the 60/70's were hardworking and assimilated well into the US. It is the more recent immigrants, the ones who came in the last ten years or so, who are a drain on our economy. Of course there are always exceptions but that seems to be my observation.

[Ciexyz]

The family came here legally. That's good enough for me.

[Lazamataz]

104-year-old Russian immigrant realized a dream by becoming a U.S. citizen

Enjoy the next few months!

[Calvin Locke]

...and they do collect Social Security and Medicare.

The version I heard on the radio quoted the son: ...have to become a US citizen [after 7 years] or lose the section 8 housing, etc...