[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 18 (Thursday, January 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E95]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                          OATH OF CITIZENSHIP

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 25, 2018

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure and sincerity 
that I take this time to congratulate thirty individuals who will take 
their oaths of citizenship on Friday, February 2, 2018. This memorable 
occasion 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 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 February 2, 2018, the following people, representing many nations 
throughout the world, will take their oaths of citizenship in Hammond, 
Indiana: Patrick Joseph Fay, Monica Soledad Aguayo Paredes, Feda 
Izzedin Aljobeh, Olalak Khamkhosy Baccam, Henriette Uwimpuhwe Balinda, 
Carolina Brambila, Sandra Campos, Jazman Abigail Cruz, Felix Dorado 
Amaro, Maria Echeverria, Oluwole Elenitoba-Johnson, Maria Isabel 
Galicia, Omar Agustin Garcia, Martin Herrera, Naomi Juarez, Katalin 
Csiszar Moore, Cain Eliseo Morales Jurado, Grissel Morelos, Mung San 
Myi Shi, Otilia Snezana Nikolovski, Hernan Osorio, Ashok Patel, Elena 
Rangel, Delia Ruiz, Jorge Luis Sullon, Susan Oluwaiemisi, Aleksandar 
Todorovich, Hannah Tran, Pedro Vargas, and Otoniel Verdugo.
   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 February 2, 2018. 
They, too, are American citizens, 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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