Newest Citizens Take Oath in Mount Vernon

WTOP Radio ^ | May 22, 2006 | Hank Silverberg

[Pharmboy]

WASHINGTON -- The debate in Congress over immigration reform may be stalled, but that has not stopped the American dream from coming true Monday in Mount Vernon.

About 100 people from 42 countries became U.S. citizens during a special ceremony at the home of George Washington. It's an annual ceremony co-hosted by the Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution.

Some of the country's newest Americans told tales of long waits for paperwork and background checks. But Neyza Alba of Bolivia said the lengthy process was worth it.

Emilio Gonzales, the director of the Citizenship and Immigration Services, says the administration is working to clear up any backlog.

"It may very well have been issues where they needed more documentation or there was a question about their name in a name check."

[Pharmboy]

Neyza Alba, welcome to America. You must be pretty smart if you were able to fill out all the forms correctly. I wish you all the best.

[Pharmboy]

I liked this story and thought it deserved a ping to the RevWar/Colonial History/Gen. Washington list.

The General and Lady Washington were among the most hospitable people and would have welcomed this ceremony at their home.

Freepmail me to get ON or OFF this list.

[blam]

"The General and Lady Washington were among the most hospitable people and would have welcomed this ceremony at their home."

Well, George married 'up' by marrying Martha. I've read that it was Martha's silverware that was used to 'stamp' the first US coins.

[Pharmboy]

Yep--no question, Col. Washington married up. Martha Parke Custis was the richest widow in the colonies when they met in 1758. They were absolutely devoted to each other.

After he died, she never slept in their bedroom again, but stayed on the third floor at Mount Vernon. She died a few years after The General.

[confederacy of dunces]

Thanks for the ping!

That story made my monitor blur up a little.

[Pharmboy]

Darn monitors! Maybe we can program them not to blur up on stories about how great this country is...but then again, they wouldn't be quite as lovable if we did that. ;-)

[Cagey]

Mong Hien Thi Tran, left, Solange Ferreira Alves and Kirill Mendel Fridkin celebrate after reciting the oath of citizenship at a ceremony to honor new U.S. citizens at George Washington's Mt. Vernon estate on Monday. (DONNIE BIGGS / POTOMAC NEWS)

There's something special about watching legal immigrants becoming US citizens.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Nice story...

BTTT