COLCHESTER – Gov. Phil Scott addressed a crowd of new citizens urging them to become civically engaged as the nation faces “serious” issues.
Thirty-five people from 16 countries around the world took the oath of allegiance during a naturalization ceremony at Camp Johnson on Tuesday, becoming new U.S. citizens.
Brig. Gen. Gregory Knight, adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard, welcomed the citizenship candidates by telling them the day will become one of the most memorable days in their lives.
“Your decision to become a citizen is yours alone and something you should be proud of,” he said.
Scott delivered the keynote address to the crowd before U.S. District Court Judge John M. Conroy administered the oath. He referenced the tragedies in El Paso and Dayton over the weekend, where mass shootings occurred.
The governor said the voices of the new Americans are “vital” to the ongoing discussion on how to govern the nation and have important perspectives.
“We hope you will join us in the ongoing effort, because as recent events demonstrate, we have much more to do,” he said.
Investigators in El Paso are investigating the killings as domestic terrorism and authorities are considering charging the suspect with federal hate crimes after finding an anti-immigrant manifesto.
Scott turned his remarks to history, discussing President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address as a “universal call to action.” He said citizenship is the duty of every American to protect and ensure the principles remain that the country was founded upon.
“It’s fitting that you have chosen to take this oath in a state that has always represented the very best of what it means to be an American,” Scott said. “A state whose people believe in community, civic engagement and individual freedom.”
“Our work to make it better, more just, more fair and more welcoming never ends. The fight for liberty and equality still endures today.”
He concluded by welcoming each new citizen “not only as governor but as your neighbor.”
The 35 new Americans, from countries as far away and diverse as India, Germany, Iraq, Jamaica and Nigeria collected their citizenship certificates from Conroy and shook Scott’s hand. The crowd of supporters clapped and waved small American flags.
The presentation of certificates was followed by a musical selection from the 40th Army Band and the Pledge of Allegiance.
After the ceremony adjourned, the newest U.S. citizens took photos with the governor, friends and family and some registered to vote at a table run by the Vermont League of Women Voters.
Danielle Savard, originally from Canada, was one of the new Americans. She now lives in Waterbury where she owns a spa business. Savard’s husband was born and raised in Vermont and she wanted to naturalize to become completely integrated into her new home.
“I’m really happy to be here,” she said. “I feel like I’m fully present in this country and in this community.”
Paul Okeke, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was at the ceremony with his young children and friends and family who came to celebrate.
“I’m very, very happy today to become a citizen,” he said.
