Hammond
50 new US citizens sworn in during naturalization event
“Today is not just a day off work, it’s an awesome occasion,” said Hammond council person-at-large Janet Venecz, in her opening remarks to the more than 300 audience members and immigrants sitting on the stage. “We know that the path to citizenship can be a difficult time and that America is not easy. We don’t always agree, but citizenship is a responsibility. We have a duty to protect our rights and freedoms.”
While waiting for the ceremony to begin, Munster resident Hussam Suradi and his small son Omar scanned the group on stage, looking for his wife Maya Hamwi, a native of Damascus, Syria.
“We thought this would be a regular holiday, but it turned out to be more than that,” Suradi said. “We appreciate this — it’s a nice way to recognize the new United States citizens.”
Also in the audience was Tina Naumoska of Crown Point. She brought her aunt Jagoda Petroska, who is a native of Struga, Macedonia.
“When we received the letter about this ceremony, I thought the date was wrong. Why would this be held on a holiday?” she said, with a laugh. “But now that we’re here, I understand. This is amazing. It’s a very special occasion on a very special day.”
The Kreczmer family of Lowell cheered on their family member Gisela Kreczmer of Lowell, a native of Stuttgart, Germany.
“We met 36 years ago when I was stationed with the Army in Germany,” said her husband Gary. “Gisela came back to the states with me but wanted to wait until the time was right to become a citizen. Today is that day; I’m 100% glad she’s doing this.”
In addition to Venecz, speakers included Rosalie Levinson, senior research professor at Valparaiso University School of Law; Anthony Ferrero, a representative for Sen. Mike Braun; Congressman Peter Visclosky; and Kerry Connor of the Indiana Bar Association. As keynote speaker, Levinson shared her parents’ story of escaping the Holocaust in order to settle in America.
“They didn’t have much, except for their dreams,” she said. “And they did come true. My father had a successful business and gave all of his children a college education.” She added he always wore an American flag pin on his lapel, showing his thankfulness for the land that allowed him to realize his vision.
The 50 immigrants from 28 different counties took the stage for their oath, which was delivered by Sue Brown Nickerson, case manager of U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana. The ceremony was presided over by Magistrate Andrew Rodovich, of the U.S. District Court in Hammond.
Hosted by The League of Women Voters (LWVA), the traditional Naturalization Ceremony service also included the presentation of a certificate to each new citizen by Nileson Hsueh, Immigration Services Officer, the presentation of an American flag by U.S. District Court in Hammond, and a presentation of flowers by members of the Daughters of American Revolution. Voter registration tables were at the ready after the formalities ended.
“We recognize all the hard work these new citizens had to go through to get where they are today,” said Barb Schilling, co-president of LWVA. “And many of them are excited to be involved with the voting process, so we wanted to make registration convenient for them.”
The League of Women Voters Association is an impartial organization that inspires informed and active involvement in government by increasing understanding of policy issues through education and advocacy.
The annual Fourth of July outdoor Naturalization Ceremony for new U.S. citizens started about 40 years ago in coordination with the now-defunct Hammond Cultural Festival. The event moved to Harrison Park in downtown Hammond during the 1990s, before finding a permanent home eight years ago when the Wolf Lake Pavilion was built.
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