Mt. Vernon Register-News

Opinion

May 27, 2009

Our View: Culmination of a dream

Next week, about 50 immigrants will achieve a dream they have been working towards for years — becoming a United States citizen.

The naturalization ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on June 4 at the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts and presided over by Federal Judge Kenneth Meyers of Mt. Vernon. Meyers said for years the ceremonies have been held at federal courthouses and only recently has the opportunity become available to hold the ceremony at other locations. This will be the first time the ceremony will be held in Mt. Vernon for those who live in the 38 Southern Illinois counties.

Those who become naturalized citizens of the United States live here, learn English, study U.S. history and government and the U.S. Constitution and file the necessary documents to be able to take the oath of allegiance. Meyers said he believes the ceremony makes people appreciate what they have and others work for.

“We’re born natural citizens and they realize it’s a dream for them to become a citizen,” Meyers said. “It’s an appreciation of the fact that we are citizens of the greatest country in the world and we take that for granted.”

We want to congratulate those who will be taking the oath next week and hope the event reminds all of us that we are, indeed, citizens of the greatest country in the world.

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