Minutes. E good afternoon. My name is sarah taylor and the district director of the washington and the services and mitts and honor to be here with you today to celebrate your citizenship. Its my pleasure to welcome you your friends, families and guest to the very special ceremony here at the Eisenhower Executive Office building south court auditorium. Id like to especially thank the Vice President posting here in the special place. Today we celebrate you as americas newest citizens and we celebrate Constitution Day and citizenship day as part is constitution week. We mark the special celebration by connecting the constitution in citizenship and reflecting on what it means to become a United States citizen. Too officially begin the ceremony i like to ask everyone to rise. Leisurplace your right hand over heart for the National Anthem by the u. S. Navy. [applause] thank you that was beautiful. Please be seated. Now i have the privilege of the turalization candidates. Candidates when you hear your country nationally called, please stand and remain standing for the ministration of oath. Afghanistan, bangladesh, bolivia, china, croatia, ecuador, el salvador, ethiopia, france, germany, ghana, guatemala, india, iraq, israel, kenya, malawi, voracious, pakistan, peru, philippines, syria, pakistan, and vietnam. I present to you 28 candidates representing 26 countries who applied to become citizens of the United States. Each of the candidates has been interviewed by an officer of u. S. Eis and exempted by law hasnt demonstrated the ability to read, write and speak words in the english language. Each has demonstrated his or her knowledge of understanding the history of principal of the United States. I recommend that these candidates be administered the pledge of allegiance admitting them United States citizenship. Thank you director taylor. Its my honor to administer the oath of allegiance today candidates for citizenship please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I hereby declare on oath, that i absolutely and entirely renounce and im sure, all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, state or sovereignty, of whom or which i have heretofore been a subject or citizen. That i will support and defend the constitution and law of the United States of america against all enemies foreign and domestic at 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 all performed 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. Congratulations. [applause] [applause] if everyone would remain standing. I would like to ask youll to join in the pledge of allegiance unlike the oath will recite the pledge pledge of allegiance in unison. Please put your right hand over your heart and face the flag and dreamy and say the pledge of allegiance. I pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of america. And to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under god, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. You may be seated. What a great day. On behalf of all the men and women of the United States citizenship and Immigration Services im honored to be the first person to call you my fellow americans. Today we have much to celebrate, we celebrate you, the newest citizens of the United States and we celebrate Constitution Day and citizenship day as part of constitution week. During constitution week we honor the anniversary of the signing of the United States constitution on september 17, 1787 in philadelphia. We reflect on what it means to be a citizen of the United States of america. As part of the celebration, we welcome thousands of new u. S. Citizens just like you and special naturalization ceremonies across the country. Perhaps not as special as this one. In the process of becoming a United States citizen, you earned our nations history, you studied our form of government, founding documents and the freedoms that we share because of the actions are founders took to secure the blessings of liberty for all americans. Now as citizens of the great country, American History is your history. Today in taking the oath of allegiance to support and defend the constitution and laws of the United States of america, you have gained important new rights and responsibilities along with ownership of americas future. I hope this day inspires you to fully exercise the rights we meet the responsibilities that accompany as United States citizens. I encourage each of you to be active and engaged citizens and members of your community. Cast your vote during election, serve on a jury if called, and learn about issues affecting you and your community. You may choose to add to our nations entrepreneurial spirit by operating a business, you can represent your community, state or nation running for political office. You may also choose to join the armed forces, these are just some of the ways that you can be involved. Take an oath of allegiance in embracing u. S. Citizenship is remarkable act of patriotism and were stronger nation today because of naturalized citizens like you, individuals who follow the rules, uphold the laws and chose to make a permanent commitment to the United States of america. I am confident that your spirit and dedication will contribute too post bruising and wellbeing of her nation. During constitution week i gradually each of you and welcome you as her citizens and i thank you for making we the people, 28 persons stronger. Now ladies and gentlemen [applause] now ladies and gentle men, its my honor to introduce the 48th Vice President of the United States, mike pence. [applause] to the associate director daniel reno, the director sarah taylor, to all of you gathered here to celebrate the very special moment, it is Constitution Day in america but this is your day, your first day as american citizens and you have our congratulations. [applause] on behalf of the first family, let me say, welcome to the white house and welcome to the american family. [applause] i just dont think any american failed to be moved. My moment like this. We are deeply inspired by your example. In the warmth and enthusiasm that we see on your faces and the faces of your loved ones that are gathered here. Today, you have come to the end of a chapter on your journey, youve come from 26 countries across five continents and im told that you come from about every walk of life. Looking forward to shaking each one of your hands. Today we have a Small Business owner, a Human Resources executive, hairstylist, student, bank teller just to name a few. And you all have one thing in common. You aspire to be americans. You stepped forward, follow the law, went through the process in today you are american citizens. Well done. [applause] now the process is complete you join the ranks of the most prosperous nation in the world. You have our congratulations. Also you have the congratulations of a man who is himself as my family is, a product of immigration. The man i serve with everyday and have a lot in common with. Some people think we are different but the truth of the matter is our family stories are very similar. Our fathers both built Small Businesses as first generation American Families butter grandfathers integrated into this country just like you did. So on my behalf and my familys behalf in behalf of the 45th president of the United States of America President donald trump i oer you our congratulations. [applause] well done. As americans you have all the rights and privileges of citizenship. You participate in many debates in American Life including debates over immigration in this country. As you experience today, make no mistake about it, the United States of america is the most generous and welcoming system of immigration in the history of the world and you prove that again today. Im proud to report last year alone within three quarters of a Million People race the right hand just like you. And they joined the wreck and family. But today a special day not only for you but has been mentioned several times, its a special day because it was on this day september 1, 7232 years ago that the constitution of the United States of america was signed. It was an extra name moment not just in American History, it was an extreme moment and hit i humn history. And today it sure constitution. So i want to encourage you, i want to encourage you to everyone of you to study it and to understand it. I was a teenager when i first began to study and understand the constitution of the United States and it has been a decades long love affair with this document. I would encourage you to understand it better, the constitution you just were oath to support and defend and study the genius of the american founding and the rights and liberties that are now yours and live out your promise to support and defend the constitution as americans. Theres a famous story at the close of the Constitutional Convention that perhaps happened on the state 232 years ago. Benjamin franklin was walking out and the lady stopped him on the street and asked what kind of government they formed. In Benjamin Franklin the history records, replied, a republic, if you can keep it. And now i say 232 years on because of the sacrifices, the determination of generations of america that you are now joining, we have kept it we have kept our constitution, mar. [applause] always remember your inheriting a legacy that has been bought with a price. Our fou wrinds their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor to found this nation and every generation since. Many women have put on the uniform of the United States to ensure the continued success and vitality of this republic. As you joined the merkin family, join with a heart filled of gratitude. For those who have gone forward in gratitude to every man and woman who wears the uniform of the United States today. [applause] freedom is not for the faint of heart. Freedom requires vigilance. And sacrifice. And you are now joining a nation that turned churches individual liberty, creates opportunities for all. And only ask that you work hard to step forward and respect our laws and you can live your dreams. And now that example and that story includes all of you. It is wonderful for me too welcome you personally. I heard the story of a man who came to the United States from bolivia 21 years ago. I heard he met the love of his life here, raised a good family, built a career of banking and retired at the development bank, Jorge Salazar welcome to america. Im also told theres an honorary hoosier in the room. [applause] thats what we call those of us from indiana. She came here as an Exchange Student in high school from germany. Where she received midwestern hospitality that were known for on my way and lived up there near Lake Michigan and no wonder she wanted to come back. She has built a life and career in today monica is an american. Welcome. [applause] i go through all your stories, i know they would all be inspiring. But i wanted to mention the two of them. Just all of you know the president and i know that our nation grows because of the hard work and sacrifice of generations of americans but its individual americans. Here in america we believe in the individual and every individual to live out their dreams. Thats what i want to leave you with today. With a challenge, not so much as your Vice President but as a fellow america. I want to leave you with a challenge, you become citizens of the most prosperous nation in the history of the world. And theres an old proverb that says too much is given much will be required. So be prepared to exercise your new progress of citizens as United States of america. For good. In ways that will benefit your family, community internation throughout your life. It is now up to you to do your part to keep the republic so find a role you comply and player. Find a way to get back. And it does not always have to be large and obvious ways. Raised a great family. Build a career, build a business, be a good neighbor. Be a schoolteacher, volunteer your time to a local charity or service club. Serve in the uniform of the United States or put on the uniform of Law Enforcement i this country. You might even run for elective office. But find a way to live out the promise that you have made today. The promise that you made not just to a document signed 232 years ago, but to your fellow amicans. Find it and live it out. Find your commitment by crating more opportunity to your family and fellow citizens and live out the oath he took today by contribute the life of this nation for good. Usually freedom for good. And america will be stronger for you being here. So congratulations again you all made a remarkable journey in a tumbling for me too stand before you today as a grandson of an irish immigrant. I cannot help but feel to be moved by your courage your tenacity and your determination to join the merkin family. It can be a long journey but youre willing to make that journey and we commend you for it. Today with the sacred oath, you sworn to uphold the rights and responsibility of citizenship and we expect nothing less. Youve inherited a legacy of liberty that generations of americans have paid for. Some with their very lives. That legacy is now yours. So live out the legacy, and finally, have faith. In dream big. In many ways thats what it means to be an american. Believe in the unlimited possibilities that now lie before you as americans. Here in the land of the free in the home of the brave, no dreams are too big. So go live them. Living for your families, children and your childrens children. Because here in america anybody can be anybody, dream big, work hard. The sky is the limit. And congratulations on joining the american family. [applause] god bless you. [applause] thank you, sir for those inspiring remarks. At this time have the privilege of presenting our new citizens whether national certificates. New citizens as you hear your name called please proceed to the side and have an opportunity to shake hands with the Vice President and receiver certificate. Gabriella smith. [applause] lynn t my whole. [laughter] monica ligh. [applause] hussein had made. [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] [applause] [calling names] [applause] [calling names] [applause] [calling names] [calling names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] [calling of names] [applause] lets have a round of applause. [applause] i want to thank you again for hosting us and allowing us to have this memorable day with her u. S. Citizens. I like to invite ms. Enter mrs. To the podium to sing God Bless America. God bless america land that i love stand beside her and guideer through the light from above from the mountain to the. To the ocean God Bless America my Home Sweet HomeGod Bless America my Home Sweet Home [applause] congratulations. Citizens click on the stage. Were going to do a quick group picture. [applause] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] everybody say usa. Usa. [inaudible conversations] one more time everybody. [applause] [cheering] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations] [inaudible conversations]