Speech #770050382

After the bill had been signed and the proclamation issued. my colleague and good friend. Judge SUMNERS. and myself were invited to Hollywood. Calif.. where we addressed an audience of more than 20.000 people in the Hollywood Bowl and where some 1.500 young men and women who had become of age during the previous year. and naturalized citizens. passed in review and received a certificate of citizenship issued by the organization in Los Angeles and Hollywood. The law provides for the recognition of all young men and women who have become 21 years of age during the year previous to the third Sunday of May each year. as well as those who have become naturalized citizens during the same year. This law further provides that the civil and educational authorities of States. counties. cities. and towns throughout the United States be urged to make plans for the proper observance of this day and for the full instruction of future citizens in their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States and of the States and localities in which they reside. The law does not change. and shall not be construed as changing. or attempting to change. the time or mode of any of the many altogether commendable observances of similar nature now being held from time to time. or periodically throughout the United States. but. to the contrary. such practices are praised and encouraged. The law further provides that at the time of the rendering of the decree of naturalization or at such other time as the judge may fix. the judge before whom naturalizations are held. either shall himself. or he shall designate some other person to address the newly naturalized citizens upon the form of our government and the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship that go with it. It was the thought of your speaker that this law enlist the aid of the judiciary. in cooperation with civil and educational authorities. and patriotic organizations in a continuous effort to dignify and emphasize the significance of citizenship. It is needless for me now to review the vicissitudes of countries overseas. the breakdown of government in one country after another. or the struggle of one nation to conquer the world. or the unsettled conditions that prevail everywhere.