[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 73 (Tuesday, May 10, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E656-E657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING NORTHWEST INDIANA'S NEWLY NATURALIZED CITIZENS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 10, 2016

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and sincerity 
that I take this time to congratulate thirty-one individuals who will 
take their oath of citizenship on Friday, May 13, 2016. This memorable 
occasion, presided over by Judge Joseph Van Bokkelen, will be held at 
the United States Courthouse and Federal Building in Hammond, Indiana.
   America is a country founded by immigrants. From its beginning, 
settlers have come from countries around the world to the United States 
in search of better lives for their families. Oath ceremonies are a 
shining example

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of what is so great about the United States of America--that people 
from all over the world can come together and unite as members of a 
free, democratic nation. These individuals realize that nowhere else in 
the world offers a better opportunity for success than here in America.
   On May 13, 2016, the following people, representing many nations 
throughout the world, will take their oaths of citizenship in Hammond, 
Indiana: Inger Adriana Hamilton, Allen Grayson Oliver, Filip Kaevski, 
Deepa Majumdar, Mary Kumba Narsu Nyuma, Harnek Singh Bhangoo, Leda 
Louie Medera Sarmiento, Reynaldo Zavala Reyes, Dhruti Dharmesh Shah, 
Shaymaa Kareem Abdulameer, Saima Ali Khan, Lyubov Mykolayivna Shteyn, 
Obren Gutovic, Eugenio Miranda Leon, Andrea Leal Espino, Carlos Grageda 
Arzate, Mary Cruz Aguilar, Mia Bella Alvarado, Arturo Amezcua, Elena 
Leona Bowser, Sherry Chen, Jose Estrada, Fatima Dinora Vazquez, Maria 
Concepcion Gonzalez, Tin Mang Hlawnceu, Emilia Tabas Jagier, Jesse 
Jimenez, Mirlym Italia Milfort, Dimitar Vladimir Paunche, Rose Tran, 
and Chinelo Marilyn Udokoro.
   Although each individual has sought to become a citizen of the 
United States for his or her own reasons, be it for education, 
occupation, or to offer their loved ones better lives, each is inspired 
by the fact that the United States of America is, as Abraham Lincoln 
described it, a country ``. . . of the people, by the people, and for 
the people.'' They realize that the United States is truly a free 
nation. By seeking American citizenship, they have made the decision 
that they want to live in a place where, as guaranteed by the First 
Amendment of the Constitution, they can practice religion as they 
choose, speak their minds without fear of punishment, and assemble in 
peaceful protest should they choose to do so.
   Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask you and my other distinguished 
colleagues to join me in congratulating these individuals who will 
become citizens of the United States of America on May 13, 2016. They, 
too, are American citizens, and they, too, are guaranteed the 
inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We, 
as a free and democratic nation, congratulate them and welcome them.

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