Jal | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> 22nd Annual Naturalization Ceremony - 2006 | tree view | thumbnails | slideshow |
On July 4, 2006, the Ethnic
Heritage Council hosted the 22nd Annual Naturalization
Ceremony at Seattle Center, from noon to 1:00pm.
Over 500 people, from more
than 70 countries, were sworn in by U.S District Court Judge Beezer, as new
citizens of the United States of America. Produced by the Ethnic Heritage
Council, Seattle Center, and the United States Citizenship and
Immigration Services, and proudly sponsored by Bank of America, this
is by far one of the most meaningful and moving Fourth of July events in the
region and arouses great interest among friends and families of the new citizens
as well as within the general community. While this is an especially important
day for the many new citizens, coming from a variety of nations and cultures, it
also serves to reaffirm the deeper meaning of being a citizen of the United
States of America.
The ceremony included speeches by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, U.S. Representative Jim McDermott, Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire, Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed, and King County Executive Ron Sims, with Seattle City Mayor Gregory J. Nickels as Master of Ceremonies.
Navy Band Northwest performed festive selections. The United States Army Color Guard will presented the colors. During the ceremony, a Native American Storyteller presented a sacred story and the Total Experience Gospel Choir, with director Pat Wright, performed. The Children of the World lead the new citizens in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance for their first time.
Each year, the Ethnic Heritage Council honors a naturalized citizen who has made outstanding contribution to his or her adopted country, the U.S.A., while maintaining his or her ethnic heritage. Congressman Jim McDermott will present the 2006 “Spirit of Liberty Award”. The recipient this year was Alma Plancich.
22nd
Annual Naturalization Ceremony was produced by the
Ethnic Heritage Council, a
non-profit organization formed in 1980, Seattle Center and United
States Department of Homeland Security, proudly sponsored by Seattle
Center, Bank of America, Western Washington Toyota Dealers
Association, University Lions Foundation, American Legion Seattle
Post #1, Rotary Club of the Seattle-International District, National DAR
- Rainier Chapter, World Television, WITT Company and supported by
the City of Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs,
4Culture, Washington State
Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts. Since its
inception, the Council has worked to promote inter-ethnic communication and
cultural preservation in the Northwest. The Naturalization Ceremony is part of
Seattle Center's Festál, a year-long series of world cultural events that honors
the richness and diversity of our region. Festál is presented by The Seattle
Times.
All photographs by Jal (www.viewmyevent.com)
previous page | pages 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ALL | next page |
previous page | pages 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 ALL | next page |
comment | share |
JoAnne | 09-Aug-2006 06:40 | |