2006 talked about her journey to citizenship and the stability it offered. Please be seated and come to order it. The Honorable Court is not in session. Now in session. Good morning. I am so very honored to be here participating in the nationalization ceremony today. What you might not know is that we have something in common. Despite being appointed to the bench over three years ago, today is also my first naturalization ceremony. We will get through it together. Although it is my first ceremony, judges from the district of Columbia District court have presided over these ceremonies and those who dissipate learn how amazing an event this is. People from all over the world, 20 five nations represented here today who have worked so hard to attain citizenship. Family members, supporters come here to celebrate with them, together to celebrate today. Overcome by how impressive all of your accomplishments are to get here today. I consider this one of my favorite bonuses of being a judge. This is not a typical equalization ceremony, we are surrounded here by documents that establish this country and our system of government including the declaration of independence, issued on july 4, 1776 declaring the independence from Great Britain and the reason why behind us on the malt we celebrate what an unrivaled fireworks display every year. The constitution is also house here in the archives, the document which establishes our system of government and the three branches legislative, executive, and judicial. Perhaps the fittingly, for today , the bill of rights, the first 10 amendments of the constitution and protect individual rights including freedom of speech, religion, and the freedom from one warrantless searches and seizures. Joining running mate to conduct the ceremony started the history of our nation, the deputy clerk will call the roll. , when your name is called, please stand and answer here, present, and remain standing. Ethiopia. China. Cameroon. United kingdom. Peru. Haiti. Bolivia. Australia. El salvador. Trinidad and tobago. Guatemala. Catherine vaughn philippines. Arsala, afghanistan. George alili, nigeria. Danesh, sri lanka. Craig reese walling, south africa. Redmilla popovich, crimea. France. Charmin, bangladesh. Dominique felipe ventiwall, belgium. William farah, diana. Guana. Senegal. Alejandra saville, italy. Frederick ludd, germany. Your owner, there are 25 applicants for naturalization. Each of the applicants have been examined by the United States citizenship and Immigration Service to the government has completed its investigation into each case. It has been determined that each applicant is eligible for naturalization at this time. I am move that upon taking the oaths of allegiance, to the United States of america, each applicant present having answered to his or her name to include those desire and change the declared a citizen of the United States of america. The motion is granted. Raise your right hand and repeat the oaths of allegiance. I hereby declare on oath that i absolutely and entirely renounce all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, state or sovereignty, of whom or which i have heretofore been a subject or citizen. I will support and defend the constitution and the laws of the United States of america. Against all enemies foreign and domestic but i will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law. I will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required by the law. 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 reservations or purpose of evasion to help me so help me god. Congratulations. [applause] all rise for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge 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. Everyone please be seated. Please welcome students from Macarthur High School who will recite the preamble to the u. S. Constitution. We the people of the United States in order to form a more Perfect Union establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the trappings of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity. Do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of america. Please be seated. [applause] please welcome to the stage the archivists of the United States, dr. Colleen. Ladies and gentlemen, and established guests and the newest members of our american family, welcome to the national are. I would like to thank the students from Macarthur High School who wonderfully recited the preamble to the constitution and judge gunn for administering the oaths of and ministership. You pledge to support to the constitution which is directly behind me. Today i want to focus my attention to the document to my left, the bill of rights. The first 10 amendments to our constitution. Todays bill of rights today which commemorates the adoption of these amendments 232 years ago. These amendments protect our most fundamental rights that are guaranteed to all americans. Freedom of speech, the press, and religion. The right to petition our government, and equal protection under the law. Franklin roosevelt proclaimed the first bill of rights day in 1941 to commemorate the Great American charter of personal liberty and human dignity. He reminded us not to take these rights for granted. And ask that the day should rededicate its principals and practice. Along with the declaration of independence, to my right, these three founding documents are a testament to the enduring values of freedom, justice, and equality. That we continuously strive to perfect. They are living promises, a covenant between the government and its citizens. You are part of that promise. And as americans, these documents belong to you. Here the archives, we preserve, protect, and share the billions of records that we hold in trust to this great nation. We do this to help Cultivate Public participation and strengthen our democracy. We live in an era in which the world around us is filled with division and disagreement. There is a time and a place for a democracy. In fact, the father of our constitution James Madison believed that such conflict would be healthy for our coding constitutions. Our government institutions. This is a democratic oasis where we can come together and celebrate the principles that unite us. As americans. As the archivist of the United States i am fitted to ensure that the National Archives remains a trusted resource for all americans. Regardless of creed, belief, or opinion. Now its my pleasure to introduce our keynote speaker, who knows what a naturalization ceremony means firsthand. Melania trump is our only first lady in American History who was also a naturalized citizen is also a citizen. Born and slowly is also a naturalized citizen. Born in slovenia, she emigrated to the u. S. And into 1006 joined us as a fellow american. As first lady, she was a strong advocate for our nations youth bureau that i had the privilege of working alongside her on several initiatives including the Centennial Anniversary of the 19th amendment. This amendment of course removed voting restrictions for women based upon their sex. She eagerly supported the work we did on the federal commission to celebrate that centennial. When i became the chair of the foundation to build a federal memorial to commemorate the suffragists, she was the first former first lady to agree to serve as an honorary cochair. I am very grateful for the help and enthusiasm she has provided to those of us working to elevate the important stories of american women. Please join me in welcoming mrs. Melania trump, and congratulations to our new citizens. [applause] mrs. Trump good morning. Thank you, dr. Shogun, for your introduction. And for your kind invitation to celebrate this incredible moment. Thank you, judge gan, for leading the os of alliance. The oath of alliance. Macarthur high school students, you are the future leaders. And knowing that meaningful words of our constitutions preamble will empower you in the next chapters of your life. It is my privilege to share this great nation, america, with the. Throughout our lives, we cross thresholds. Obstacles often stand in the way of our goals. We persevere, as we understand that conquering them will provide great access to personal development, fulfillment, and even eventually selfactualization. For me, reaching the milestone of american citizenship marked the sunrise of certainty. At that exact moment, i forever discarded the layer of burden connected with whether i would be able to leave in the United States. I hope you are blanketed with similar feelings of comfort right now. Finally, i could plan all all of the aspects of my life. I recall feeling a tremendous sense of pride and belonging after i recited the United States oath of alliance. As the pathway to citizenship is arduous. I was born and raised in the picturesque country of slovenia where my parents taught me the importance of a strong work ethic and pursuing my dreams. The values they installed in me at an early age inspired my fashion and modeling career and body to the beautiful and brought me to the beautiful cities of paris and milan. While working internationally, it had its share of rules and regulations. It wasnt until i moved to new york city in 1996 that this system truly tested my determination. Upon my arrival, i immediately knew that i wanted to make the United States my permanent home. With a goal of securing a worker visa, i began researching and visiting consulates and embassies and compiling the required records of my work experiences. Quickly, my life turned into a labyrinth of organizing paperwork. Back then, the convenience of technologys document filing didnt really exist to the extent it does today. Patience and perseverance became my constant companions, as i navigated through this intricate web, which im sure you can all relate to. Even if timeconsuming, my dream of becoming a citizen pushed me to meticulously gather every last piece of information required, ensuring that no detail was overlooked. My personal experience of traversing the challenges of the immigration process opened my eyes to the harsh realties people face, including you, who try to become u. S. Citizens. And then of course there are nuances of understanding the United StatesImmigration Law and the complex legal language contained therein. I was very devoted, but i certainly was not an attorney. And eventually, provided critical for me to retain counsel. I was fortunate to do so as ultimately my journey was streamlined and brought me over the finish line as a naturalized citizen. While challenges were numerous, there were rewards that were a well worth the effort. I applaud you for every step you took, every obstacle you overcome and every sacrifice you made. It is an honor to stand with you in this hollow halls today in the presence of the declaration of independence, the very doct very document on which our Founding Fathers carefully composed the words that capture the ideals surrounding individual liberty and this great republic. Arguably one of the most Important Documents of all time. Becoming an american citizen comes with responsibility, it means actively participating in the democratic process guarding our freedom. It also means leading by example and contributing to our society. It is a life altering experience that takes time, determination, and sometimes even tremendous strength. You are now a part of a nation with a rich history of progress and innovation and resilience. Though you come from 25 different countries, your dreams and inspirations intertwined with those who came before you since 1776, and together shape the future of this extraordinary country. Be proud of yourself. Stand your ground. And embrace the opportunities that lie ahead. You are american. Be a beacon of inspiration for your children and those who follow in your footsteps. May your journey continue to be filled with endless possibilities, and may your contributions enrich the fabrics of this great nation. The fabric of this great nation. Congratulations again. [applause] thank you. Please welcome to the podium the honorable elizabeth l gunn. Thank you, mrs. Trump. Aside from the native americans for the members of the first nation, the United States is a nation of immigrants. Everyones family came from somewhere else. So as of today, when you walk out of this beautiful facility, walked down the street, get into the metro, you are no more of an immigrant and no less of an american than anyone you see. Anyone in this city or anyone who lives anywhere in this great country, you are no less. Let me tell you a few facts about my family in closing. My greatgrandmother on my mothers side arrived on ellis island and my greatgrandfather jumped ship not quite before they got there around the time of the end of the Great Depression from greece. They went on to raise 13 children in the northeast part of the country. One of whom sacrificed his life fighting during world war ii, after whom my mother is named. One became a new York City Police detective, one a College Professor and one my grandmother. Just over 100 years later, i was appointed as a federal judge serving in the capital of our great country. On the other side, my greatgrandmother on my fathers side was one of the last uh on one of the last wagon trains migrating west across this country on the oregon trail. And despite that she still lived to the great age of after 100. Establishing a homestead in oregon among her great grandchildren, each of us has a story to tell and i hope your children and your grandchildren, your greatgrandchildren and your aunts, uncles, cousins , whomever will tell stories of you and this day and make their future lives in america possible. Thank you all for sharing your special day with me each and everyone of you. Congratulations, my fellow americans. [applause]