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Video by Staff Sgt. Jose Ibarra

Secretary of the Army at Naturalization Ceremony

Defense Media Activity - Army Productions

Nov. 23, 2016 | 6:56

The Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning addresses 165 new U.S. citizens at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Monday, Nov. 21, 2016. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services conducts a special naturalization ceremony.

TRANSCIPT:
"You took an oath, an oath to a constitution. You are now Americans. As I look out at each of you, I see the diversity that makes us strong as a nation, that defines who we are as a people, and it's a beautiful thing. Today, you and your family celebrate your citizenship as a personal achievement. But for me, the existence and frequency of these naturalization ceremonies ranks as an important national achievement. As Army secretary, when I look at a formation of Soldiers, I want to see strength, I want to see resilience. I see that as I look around this room today. And as I think about the diverse paths to citizenships that each of you has taken, I also see grit, perseverance, and determination. These characteristics are what makes Americans, and America, great. These qualities remind me of what I saw this August in Rio as part of the U.S. delegation to the summer Olympics. On the last night of competition, I watched from the stands, as an American, Paul Chelimo, and a Soldier, ran the race of his life, winning the silver medal in the 5,000 meter race. It had been more than 50 years since an American had medaled in that race. And yet Paul hadn't always been an American. He was born in Kenya. And his unique path to citizenship was earned through service in the Army and likewise to America. Those who wish to do us harm and those who want to challenge America don't have what we have right here in this room. They don't have men and women from more than 40 countries seeking to earn citizenship. They don't have citizens who have left everything behind to forge a better future. They don't have dreamers and builders from every part of the world striving to better their country. We do. Each of your journeys to citizenship embodies what it means to be an American. You embody these qualities even before you became an American. Our history is defined by those on the outside struggling to be a part of this nation, in every generation, as men and women like yourselves have arrived in America, they have renewed and revitalized our nation. They have reminded us of our common roots and our core values. This country has grown stronger by building barriers to ambition. America is not great because we have kept people from pursuing their dreams. It's because of the paths we have created for people to reach this country, for their children to realize their dreams in this country, that we are the strongest and greatest nation the world has ever seen. And it's fitting that you have earned your citizenship on this day, Nov. 21. 396 years ago today, a group of immigrants we now refer to as the Pilgrims, signed the Mayflower Compact. The compact established a set of rights and responsibilities. It committed them to pursue laws that were equal and just, and to work for the common good. By keeping this compact, their community endured a difficult arrival. In fact nearly half of them would not survive the winter. But their community endured, their legacy endured. Commitments they made four centuries ago have been passed down to us today. On this Nov. 21st, you've also made a solemn compact. You've taken an oath to the U.S. Constitution, and the citizens to support and defend it. As Americans, we all want the same thing: to be strong, to be safe, to be free, for our children to have it better than we did. We want to strengthen the one country in the history of our planet that is not defined by tribe or race or religion or by common blood, but by shared dreams and shared dreams and shared ideals, inclusion, pluralism, diversity, this is who we are and what makes us strong. For many immigrants and their children, for citizens and non-citizens alike, these are anxious times. But if history provides any preview of our future, we know that the contributions of our newest Americans, their love for this country, and their fearless and relentless of opportunity, will remain the surest foundation of our strength and success. The dynamism and diversity you bring to this nation will be a catalyst for a stronger more prosperous America, just as it has always been. Having the chance to welcome you and acknowledge your citizenship is one of my proudest moments as Army secretary. Thank you for all you have done to arrive here today, and all you will do to make our America proud for generations to come. Congratulations."

"These moments represent everything that's great about our country. There is no other country in the world that has people lining up from everything other country to try to become citizens."

Read Story:

https://www.army.mil/article/178644/strength_of_america_evident_in_faces_of_new_citizens_army_secretary_says

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