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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
Citizenship Day Naturalization Ceremony
Ellis Island, New York
Friday, September 16, 2005
Thank you, Mary Ann [Gantner, District Director, New York, U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services]. And thank you to Robert Devine, and his
family!
I would like to acknowledge New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly,
and thank him for his service to this great city.
Congratulations! And on behalf of President George W. Bush, let me welcome
you all as new citizens of the United States of America.
We share a very special journey. Like you, I am not a native-born American.
I immigrated to this country when I was eight years old. My family and I
chose America, just as you did.
I still remember the first time we saw the magnificent statue of Lady Liberty,
which is right behind us this morning. I was eight years old, on board a
freighter with my mother and two sisters. We sailed right past the Statue
of Liberty as our ship came into New York Harbor. For us, Lady Liberty symbolized
all of the hopes and dreams of our young family. I will never forget that
day as long as I live.
The transition to a new life, a new culture and a new language was not easy
for my family—as I know it has not been easy for most of you. But America
embraced us with its compassion and generosity. America opened the doors
of opportunity for those willing to work hard. And America gave each of us
the freedom to realize our dreams.
When I travel around the world people often ask, “What do Americans look
like?” I always reply, “Americans look like me, they look like you, they
look like people from all over the world. Because America is the world.” Representatives
of all nations, cultures and races of the earth live in America—and all
of them have found a home here.
That is one of the very special things about America. This country does
more than welcome newcomers. It embraces newcomers. It makes them, and
their cultures, part of its beautiful mosaic. That sentiment is recognized
all over the world. It was expressed by a European who came up to me at
an international meeting recently and said this: The thing I love about
America is that no matter where you're from, if you become an American
citizen, you will be accepted as an American.
America is also special because of its unique combination of free markets,
transparent and accountable institutions and the rule of law. This basic
foundation has created the most level playing field to be found on the
face of the earth for people of all races and creeds. Here, everyone has
the opportunity to dream, to work toward that dream and to share the fruits
of success with others. As the President has said many times, it's the
compassion of the American people that makes this country so great.
Nowhere is that more apparent than in the tremendous outpouring of compassion
and generosity to people who are hurting and need help. After 9.11, Americans
from all walks of life, from every state and every cultural tradition,
came forward to assist the victims and survivors of the terrorist attacks.
And we have seen that spirit, once again, in the outpouring of compassion
and generosity offered to the survivors of Hurricane Katrina and in the
National Service of Prayer and Remembrance the President is leading this
morning.
I just came back from a trip to the Gulf where I met with survivors of
Hurricane Katrina and the volunteers who are helping them. In Houston, Texas, more than 40,000 volunteers showed up at the Astrodome to help
about 25,000 evacuees who sought shelter after they were evacuated from
Louisiana. The Volunteer Coordinator sent an e-mail out at 10:30 at night
asking for volunteers. He received so many responses—1,000 per hour—that
his computer crashed! That spirit of compassion is such an important part
of American culture. We are not perfect. But by empowering the individual
person, America gives each and every one of us the opportunity to be our
very best. Americans are not afraid to share what they have, because they
have confidence that the future will always be better.
America is special not only because of what it gives us, but because
of what it asks of us. To guarantee your freedom, America asks not only
for your allegiance, but also for your involvement in community and civic
life. The philosophers who formed the ideas upon which our republic is
based made that very clear. A Republic is only as good as the character
of each and every one of its citizens. Each of us has rights. But as Americans,
we also have responsibilities. And the future of our country depends upon
the active involvement of each and every one of us in our democracy. Each
generation of citizens is a steward responsible for the care and preservation
of our democracy. As new citizens, I welcome you into this historic fellowship.
America's values of liberty and justice are a heritage passed on to us
by those who came before us. In turn, our country is depending upon us
to pass these values on to our children and grandchildren.
Freedom, opportunity, transparency and the rule of law can never be taken
for granted. Thousands of Americans have given—and are giving—their lives
to preserve our rights and protect our liberty. Even today, we are engaged
in a struggle against the enemies of liberty in the War on Terror. As
you take your first steps as citizens today, I hope you will take a moment
to remember them and to keep these courageous men and women in your thoughts
and in your hearts. They make all of this possible.
You are now full-fledged members of the American family. As an immigrant
myself, I understand the many challenges you have overcome to be here
today. This celebration marks the beginning of your new journey, full
of promise and opportunity. Your excitement and pride is evident in each
of your faces. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share this
very special day with you, your families and your loved ones.
America is waiting out there to embrace you with opportunity, generosity
and optimism. So, cherish this day as long as you live.
May God bless you and your families. And may God continue to bless America.
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