Twenty-five become U.S. citizens at UA campus ceremony
Posted on Saturday, November 18, 2006
Twenty-five people from seven different countries became United States citizens Friday during a naturalization ceremony at Leflar Law School on the University of Arkansas campus.
Jose Luis De La Cruz Hernandez, who lives in Berryville with his wife, April and their two children, said he likes the U. S. and came here 13 years ago from Mexico City "to get better opportunities."
He began the road to citizenship, he said, 10 years ago.
"I know I'm going to stay here," he said.
He said he felt "great "after becoming a citizen.
U. S. District Judge Jimm L. Hendren presided over the ceremony in the E. J. Ball courtroom, where the oath of allegiance was administered.
The UA celebrated International Education Week this week with many activities on campus, including the naturalization ceremony.
The Bella Vista Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9063 presented the colors for the ceremony and Joan Drake, a member of the Lovely Purchase Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, gave the invocation.
Members of the color guard, Hendren explained, among them have 61 years of military service - 12 years overseas and eight years in combat.
He asked people at the ceremony to notice the ribbons the men wore.
"They earned them," Hendren said.
A Spanish-language interpreter was used for part of the ceremony and as the new citizens took their oath.
Jody Rogers, another member of that DAR chapter, gave a history of the organization and talked about the importance of freedom in this country.
As good Americans, she said, all should be wellinformed and vote, and live by the rule of law. She congratulated the people becoming citizens and, on behalf of DAR members, wished them much success.
David Dement, district adjudication officer for the U. S. Department of Homeland Security, Fort Smith, presented the people who became citizens.
Most who became citizens were from Mexico, with 17 from that country, two each from El Salvador and Romania, and one each from Iran, France, Canada and the People's Republic of China.
To become citizens, the people had to, among other things, demonstrate a satisfactory knowledge of the history and government of the U. S.
Hendren said he was fortunate to be born in this country; they had to take a test to become citizens.
"So I compliment you for that," he said.
There are many people who want to come to this country, he said.
"Some of them choose to do it illegally," he said.
He commended the people who became citizens Friday for going about it the correct way.
"You have complied with the law."
He said that is what is expected in a country governed not by men, but by laws.
"You have my admiration and my respect," he said.
Ernestine Gibson of the University of Arkansas Student Support Services sang America the Beautiful.
New citizens were led in the Pledge of Allegiance after being administered the oath.
Robert D. "Bob"Cheyne, the first voice of the Arkansas Razorbacks who has two degrees from the university, including a master's degree in European History, was the keynote speaker.
He asked the new citizens to consider their new citizenship "a sacred trust."
While Cheyne said the country is still young, he added that it is great because it is composed of people from all over the world.
"I hope you will look upon this day not only as a turning point in your own lives, but an opportunity to learn more of the history of this country and fully participate in its future," he said.
He talked of many immigrant populations in the U. S., one of the greatest migrations in the early 1900 s. Many Irish settled in and around New York. Germans followed and settle in the middle part of the country. Chicago, he said, has had the largest Polish population outside of Poland.
"Asians have been coming to our country for over 100 years," he said.
The Latino population, he said, is spread from Miami, with its Cuban refugees, to the southern borders of the nation with people from Mexico, Central America and South America.
"There is no place on earth that is so diverse and yet with so many opportunities," he said.
His own father, he said, came from Scotland, arriving as a 19-year-old immigrant in 1914 and remembering well his first glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. He held up his father's declaration denouncing the sovereignty of King George of Great Britain.
Cheyne urged people that, whatever their ages, to pursue an education.
"It's an important step toward success, but it demands an effort on your part," he said. "If you sincerely seek help, you will find it."
He also said," Our democracy s not without its faults. Sometimes we are disturbed by the actions of a few, but we have survived 230 years because we are free to voice our own opinions and elect those who will serve the people best."
One of those who became a citizen Friday, Haydee Sandoval, came to the country 23 years ago from El Salvador. She lives in Rogers and works for Tyson Foods Inc. She said she came to the country for better jobs. She said she felt "happy"and relieved to become a citizen.
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