Speech #910281666

And it takes its heaviest toll among the young. the ignorant. the poor. the disenchanted. Is it any wonder? When a person from a foreign land becomes a naturalized citizen of the United States. there is often a very elaborate and impressive ceremony. He assembles with others to be naturalized in the Federal or State court nearest his home. Relatives and other friends are present. Typically. after an invocation. a color guard presents the flag of the United States. Standing before the flag of his newly adopted nation. the person to be naturalized repeats sthe oath of allegiance to the United States and becomes at that moment a citizen. Following this. the new citizen is addressed and welcomed by various community leaders such as the mayor of his city. All present. new and old citizens alike. then sing the national anthem together. After participating in such an impressive. patriotic event. it is no wonder that new citizens tend to cherish the right to vote and to exercise it at each election. As a naturalized citizen he has actively chosen to make the United States his new home. to abide by its laws. to defend it if necessary. and to participate in the functioning of its government. For these rights and privileges he has waited for a period of 5 years. studied its history and form of government. and finally taken an oath to defend his new country. A person who is born in this country usually lives here 21 years before he gains the right to vote.