AMERICANWAY

the Pledge of A llegiance. They stand and face the flag and place their hands over their hearts. English is spoken and broken, but there exists a unified voice that would inspire even the most jaded of cynics. U.S. District Judge Sue E. Myerscough, who is presiding over the ceremony, then tells the group, "I hope the sacrifices you have made will be worth it. We are enriched by your presence." The Springfield Law yers Chorus launches into "The Star-Spangled Banner," and, as the anthem ends, more than a few citizens — new and old — are wiping away tears. B efore the ceremony commenced, the citizens-to-be sat quietly col- lecting their thoughts. In front of each one, a small American flag was displayed, as well as a packet containing a let- ter of congratulations from President Barack Obama; a copy of the Declaration of Indepen- dence and the Constitution; a U.S. passport application; a voter's guide; and copies of the Gettysburg Address, the Pledge of Allegiance and the Naturalization Oath. Their journeys to American citizenship were as diverse as their countries of origin. part of the greatest country on Earth," he says with a touch of wonder. In the standing-room-only gallery are Iozia's father; his wife, Nikki; his in-laws; several co-workers; Illinois state Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer; and close friend Steve War- mowski, who takes a photo of Iozia as he holds up his right hand for the Oath of Naturalization. A few rows in front of Iozia sits Janusz Andrzej Walen- tynowicz. The Danish glass artist, who lives in the coun- tryside near the little Illinois town of Clinton, is thinking about all the final details he has to accomplish in the next four days: citizenship, passport, a Tuesday flight back to Denmark for the summer. His plate is overf lowing, and everything from this moment forward has to work perfectly. (It doesn't help that his car gave him trouble on the 48-mile trip to Springfield.) Dressed in dark colors with a book bag slung over his shoulder, Walentynowicz looks the part of a thoughtful artist. On this particular afternoon, a lucky Friday the 13th, 57 immigrants from 29 countries (Canada to Yemen) are becoming American citizens. Jubilant families and friends fill the chambers. In the lobby, the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution has prepared lemonade and cookies. A group photo is taken in front of the Old State Capitol. Every hue of skin color is repre- sented, and, although it's a Friday afternoon, everyone is dressed in his or her finest — nothing less than pressed shirts, suits and dresses. Under the supervision of the U.S. Citizenship and Im- migration Services, applicants for citizenship must take a Naturalization Test, which is made up of a civics test and an English test. The civics test challenges applicants' knowledge of U.S. history and government. They must be prepared to answer six out of 10 questions correctly from a study list of 100. For example, they are asked why there are 13 stripes on the American flag and how many amendments are in the U.S. Constitution. (To fur- ther test your knowledge, check out the sidebar on page 88.) Once they pass, they are eligible to become citizens in a ceremony like this one. Denise Koester, chief deputy clerk of the court, ad- ministers the Naturalization Oath: "I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any for- eign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God." The 57 new American citizens are then asked to recite Most important, Walentynowicz is going to do something he has always wanted to do: vote. PROUD TO BE AMERICANS (FROM TOP): Janusz Andrzej Walentynowicz, Darren Iozia and Tao "Mandy" Chun Smith (middle) 8 6 N OV E M B E R 2 01 4 A A .CO M/A M E R I C A NWAY

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