[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 5, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     OATH CEREMONY ON MARCH 8, 2019

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2019

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure and sincerity 
that I take this time to congratulate twenty-five individuals who will 
take their oaths of citizenship on March 8, 2019. 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 March 8, 2019, the following people, representing many nations 
throughout the world, will take their oaths of citizenship in Hammond, 
Indiana: Saudi Elizabeth Gonzalez-Martinez, Clemence lngabire Andrew, 
Avelina Garcia, Maria Del Carmen Trevino, Simona Podlecki, Fatoumata 
Diallo, Lorena Garcia-Vargas, Thu Le Coultas, Gustavo Lopez Lemus, 
Piotr Henryk Ozimek, Maria Del Pilar Parent-Quintana, Paticia Aguirre, 
Alyda Frederika Willemina Veenendaal, Khristine Mascardo Bernier, 
Gurpreet Kaur, Nada Jovanoski, Anaya Alvarez Lucila, Patricia Bugayong 
Fry, Miguel Avila, Nelly Berenguel Ramirez De Vargas, Elaine Criselda 
Dequina Moline, Dipika Darji, Adriana Albertina Martinez, Carmen 
Mendoza De Garcia, and George Vlahos.
  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.
  Madam 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 March 8, 2019. 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.

                          ____________________