[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 146 (Tuesday, September 4, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1191-E1192]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   OATH CEREMONY ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2018

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 4, 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 September 7, 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 September 7, 2018, the following people, representing many nations 
throughout the world, will take their oaths of citizenship in Hammond, 
Indiana: Angelica Manalo Macchia, Farai Vanessa Gotora, Kehinde 
Montunrayo Ajibade, Ricardo Rodriguez Cervantes, Hongying Tu, Daniel 
Alvarado, Alexandra Espinoza, Rosana Hardaway, Claudia Hernandez, 
Primitivo H. Jorge, Hottensia Njeri Kabiru, Jose Lopez Perez, Angela 
Lugo, Ut Thi Nguyen, Lily Kieu Nguyen, Monique Nzumpatse Ntita, 
Anthonia Obaseki, Ma Buena Bentura Perez Vences, Elvia Rico, Yanely 
Soto, Margot Tutorow, Victor Manuel Velazquez, Enrique Zepeda, Ramiro 
Zepeda, Posseh Aisha Kamara, Efrain Esquivias, Xiaoli Yang, Arlet Orta, 
Jose M. Martinez, and Maria Santos Maya.
  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,

[[Page E1192]]

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 September 7, 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.

                          ____________________