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Middle-schoolers from across the state were on hand Tuesday as 75 new U.S. citizens were honored at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Indianapolis as part of the Indiana Bar Foundation’s We The People program.
U.S. District Court Judge James Sweeney presided over the naturalization ceremony.
“Each of you has a different story, but your shared love, freedom, liberty and equality brought you together to this place at this time,” Sweeney said.
All 75 new citizens stood and swore their allegiance to the United States.
“Welcome my fellow Americans. Welcome my fellow Hoosiers,” Sweeney said.
Sweeney asked the group how long the naturalization process took for them. For some, it was just a five-month process and for others, it took three decades.
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the youngest new citizen Rene Aguirre, 18, from Mexico. Aguirre is a student at Indiana University. He said the process took him less than a year.
Next, Brooke Kandel, representing The International Center, presented an American flag that once flew over the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. to the oldest new citizen. An Dueng from Burma stood with Sweeney as she accepted the flag.
Diane Powell gave remarks on behalf of U.S. Sen. Todd Young.
“I know your journey to this day has been long and often difficult, but I’m certain the freedoms you will enjoy as a citizen will make it work the wait,” Powell said.
Emily Zink gave remarks on behalf of Gov.-elect Mike Braun.
“Today, we join a long-term commitment that from the beginning of our history, have dedicated themselves to ideals such as liberty, equality and freedom,” Zink said. “By taking the oath of citizenship, you dedicate yourself to preserving those ideals for future generations.”
Felicity Fitzpatrick gave remarks on the behalf of U.S. Rep. Andre Carson. Fitzpatrick also went through the naturalization process.
“Since its founding, the United States has been strengthened through the many contributions from immigrants,” Fitzpatrick said.
She encouraged the new citizens to continue honoring their heritage as they embrace American culture and traditions.
The Indianapolis Bar Association gave each new citizen a pin of both the American flag and the Indiana flag.
Once the new citizens received their certificate of citizenship and an American flag from the James Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, they were able to register to vote.
Representatives with the Marion County Clerk’s Office and the League of Women Voters were on hand to help the new citizens register to vote.
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