US Senator Peter Welch - Remarks at Naturalization Ceremony 9/11/2026

Okay, please remain standing for the presentation of the colors. Close. Please be seated. >> Good morning. and welcome welcome to this very very special uh celebration. Uh my name is William Sessions. Uh I'm a United States uh District Court uh judge uh in Burlington. I've been since 1995. Today uh we mark uh the 21st 25th anniversary of the attack on New York City and Washington and Pennsylvania. This naturalization ceremony uh directly evolved uh out of that tragedy. uh then Senator Patrick Ley and I chose to mark this day with a naturalization ceremony in 2002. Um and it was this statement both to honor the victims of the tragedy in New York and Washington and Pennsylvania. uh but also to celebrate our heritage of a welcoming country for immigration and new citizens. Aside from the pandemic years, we've had a ceremony here at the state house each year since 2002. Now, let me begin by introducing uh our guests uh today. First, John Hall uh who is the acting uh US marshal uh for the district of Vermont. And also our color guards, Ron Tolman, Susan Pullman, and Adam Melendi. Um, it's a special honor for me to to welcome our United States uh senator uh Peter Welch. Uh, it's an honor because he and I have been friends for over 50 years. Um, and he is uh the junior senator from Vermont. Sarah Copeland Hanzis is the Vermont Secretary of State who's joining us as well. Uh Carrie Thanosi is state representative from the office of Senator Bernie Sanders. Eileen Lax is director of constituent services in the office of the US Representative Becca Balance. Kimberly Reid is field officer, director of the immigration services as an immigration services officer at the US citizenship and immigration uh services. Lawrence McGra is customer service uh manager at the passports as a passport support associate with the US Department of State and the Vermont uh passport agency. In addition, we have a number of representatives of the Vermont League of Women Voters. Mary Jane Harris D. Gishh, Nancy Mastersonson, Katherine Rider, Joshua Proipi, Sonia Skyler, Chris Rockinelli, Sue Brachinelli, Anne Mixer, and Jamie O'Hare. And in addition, a number of representatives of the Daughters of the American Revolution, uh, Linda Elely, uh, Eileen Godfrey, Ellen Emily Meyers, Deb Van Orman and Reena Witherall, Thomas Chittenden, chapter uh, and also Laura Benjamin uh, S St. John the Krabakur chapter and also Barbara Griffin of the Antory uh chapter. So let me um then turn to uh some comments um that I have and the comments are going to be in two parts. The first is I'd like to talk about uh American government and in fact the Constitution of the United States uh and describe to you really what it is like to be a citizen and then I'm going to go into a personal story. And the personal story stems out of an injury that I had, but it's less about the injury that I had or my personal story. It's more about the people who came to my rescue and came to my care. And then we start to think about all of the things that people contribute to our country even before they become um citizens. You're about to become citizens of the United States of America. In one sense, you're about to experience an extraordinary almost magic transformation. You've come into this room, this courtroom as subjects of various countries from all over the world. And words will be spoken, a ceremony performed. And when it's over, you will walk out as American citizens. You may be released, severed from your old ties, but bound by a new bond to all of us who proudly call ourselves Americans. You'll have a new loyalty, a new set of obligations, and I believe a new dedication and a new hope stemming out of the strength of our ideals. President Barack Obama spoke of the source of our strengths. In this way, you and I will be citizens of the country that is the hallmark of individual freedom, of individual liberty. A nation that cherishes the right of a person to say what you think. To go where you choose. To worship as you will without governmental interference. To make yourselves whatever you can by hard work performed in your own way by industry, loyalty and integrity. The oath which is administered has uh two parts. In the first part, you will renounce any allegiance or fidelity which may uh you may have to any country or government other uh than the United States. And as part of declaring your allegiance to the United States, you may be at the same time choosing to set aside fidelity to any other country. There may be sadness uh in that choice. But if there is true reluctance among uh any of you, then you should withdraw your obligation and give it further consideration. It is in the second half of the oath that you commit yourselves to the benefits and obligations of United States citizenship. This is how you earn the rights which necessarily flow from that citizenship. The constitution and the bill of rights protect you from discrimination on the basis of your religion, your color or your country of origin. They provide you with the right to speak freely about matters that you care about and to be free from punishment unless you are given a fair trial with due process provided. You're guaranteed a free press and the right of peaceful assembly and association. And under our laws, those freedoms are yours as a matter of right without regard to the persons who may hold any given political office at any time. In accepting of the benefits of American citizenship, you likewise must accept its duties and its obligations. Democracy will always have its dangers. In a free society, every right has a duty and every freedom has a responsibility. You are accepting a country which safeguards the rights of some who may even seek to put in danger our very institutions. We, you and I, must remain firm in our convictions and not falter when human rights and the cause of freedom are endangered. The right to vote is at risk each time you fail to vote. The right of free speech is threatened whenever you do not speak your own convictions. Your own rights become threatened whenever you permit the rights of others to be denied. These rights of others must be defended and respected if you expect your own to last. But you must do more than merely protect and respect your own rights and the rights of others. We must dedicate our best efforts to constantly improving, strengthening, and enhancing our society and the land and institutions which have made our country so great. But perhaps America's greatness lies in more than just the democratic form of government and the rights afforded to each of its citizens. Our strength is in the diversity of our people. The United States is a living, breathing experiment in human relations. We are made up of many different cultures, of different races, of different religions from all over the world. As has been true for over 200 years, we are constantly in search of ways in which to protect and preserve that cultural diversity while living in harmony and peace with one another. And despite great strides over the past last few decades, you inherit a country where racial inequality, economic disparity, and environmental decay are still a reality too often a very grim reality. You inherit a country subject to criticism from without and disagreement and discord from within. But we as citizens must confront these difficult problems openly. But it is a source of great pride that we live in a country where those problems are not and should never be hidden or avoided where conscientious descent is encouraged and protected. that you've all taken a very courageous step uh in leaving your homes and in some cases your families to come here to pursue your dreams uh and aspirations. With the exception of very few Native Americans, all of us and our ancestors made that same voyage with those same dreams. We are all the daughters and sons, the granddaughters and grandsons of those who came in search of peace and opportunity and above all liberty and freedom. Many came here so that their children could be free in a very fundamental way. We are all legal immigrants to this country. Now, uh, to my personal story. Um, I've been doing celebrations like this for indeed over 30 years. And, um, they're really one of my favorite things to do um, as a federal judge. Um, and they're they're so joyous and celebratory. Um, but people come here and then leave and I don't know much about what their lives are like. How are they being accepted into this community? How are they making efforts into this uh community? And so then I had an experience uh a number of years ago and that experience taught me a lot about the contributions that are made by people who come to this country seeking freedom. Um, so I was uh uh skating on my daughter's fields in Mbury and I took a fall. Um, and I hit my head really hard. Uh, and I felt a little dizzy, but I I thought I would survive and in fact I did. And so I got up and left and did nothing about it. Um, and I'd have occasional headaches, but nothing. And then one Sunday night, I couldn't speak well. Um, and so then, um, I went to the hospital. Fact, there's someone here who encouraged me strongly to go to the hospital. I went to the hospital and they took a CAT scan and they sent the CAT scan to Burlington and then we received a call. This was in the emergency room in Milbury and and the um neurosurgeon who looked at my cat scan said uh that I was to be brought immediately to Burlington in an ambulance. that this neurosurgeon had reserved um the operating room for brain surgery at 4:00 in the morning and that I was there. And so I remember sitting outside of uh the operating room as this uh neurosurgeon uh who was a contemporary of mine, probably older um um told me about the surgery, the brain surgery that I was undergo and um then asked for consent and he turned to me and I at that point could not speak. I could say nothing. And he in this very gentle way took his hand, put his hand on my hand and said, "I'm going to make you all better." And then I was wheeled into surgery. And so I spent the next month um in the hospital. Um I went first uh to to the main hospital. Um and the first observation I made was the nursing care and the support staff are from all over the world. Um they were people from different cultures and I really enjoyed speaking to them over the month over you know what their lives were like. And then one of uh my favorite um nurses said to me, "I don't think you will remember me, but you swore me in as a citizen." Well, that was I didn't remember her. Um I confess that. Um, but it it was a bond that we had that that I swore her in as an American citizen. It was clearly very important to her. So then because of the severity of the injury, I had difficulty walking and talking and I had to go through therapy. So I went first to the occupational therapist and um met her and she said, "Well, you swore me in as the citizen of the United States at a ceremony at the state house." Um, and then the next day she brought in a picture of uh the ceremony and a picture of uh the two of us uh at the ceremony me having sworn her in as a citizen. This was very um important uh for her and me. And so all of a sudden you said, "Gee, there are people out there um who have gone through this ceremony um and they're they're they're helping me recover. But then how about that neurosurgeon?" So this is a person of roughly my age, I think, who's the head of neurosurgery at UVM at that particular point. Um, so after 30 days, I was out of the hospital. I went back uh for a follow-up appointment with the neurosurgeon, and he uh took a a CAT scan, and uh he showed me the CAT scan. He said, "Look at this." He compared the CAT scan to the old one and the new one, and you see all the blood that was in your brain, and the old one is gone. And in fact, your brain, which had moved a certain distance, 2.2 cm, but who's going to forget that? Um, is back to where it's supposed to be. And so he said, "You're going to make a full recovery." So, as um as he was leaving, I I said, "Doctor, you know, thank you for saving my life. And then he said, h, he stopped. My wife and I were there. He stopped and looked right at me and said, "Um, you're welcome and thank you, judge." And I said, "For what?" He said, "On September 11th, 2006, on the 5th anniversary of the attack, you swore me in as a citizen." And that was a very special day. Well, so what what does one learn from that experience? You learn that people who have just come to the United States are a part of our community. They bring their rich cultural diversity that is so interesting and makes this country so unique. But more than that, they are the nurses and the doctors who, in this case, save our lives. They're the teachers and the educators who teach our kids. They're the police officers who protect us in the community. There are the civil rights lawyers who are defending our Constitution. against uh attack. The fact is that the people who come to this country as immigrants and then citizens are a part of us and we are part of them. So that's where you have gone since these celebrations. Now, let me introduce uh our first well, I guess I was the first speaker, but the second speaker um this is Senator uh Peter Welch. As I said, we have been um friends for over 50 years. Um we both started as public defenders together and he chose a route uh into politics and is now really the highest office um in our state and I have you know such a sense of pride uh knowing him and also having him here. Uh thank you Judge Sessions. That is, you know, that is such an amazing story. And I don't know what he's doing is reaching out to the 47 people who were here to be sworn in from the 22 countries to be on call if he needs you in another emergency. Uh but what Judge Sessions said is what's so powerful uh to me and to you. You know, we right now I am the United States senator along with Senator Sanders for Vermont and we're in Washington and these are very troubled times for our country. Uh and there are a lot of Americans who have an apprehension that we've lost our way. And what does that mean to lose your way? It means to essentially stray from the fundamental values that have guided us uh as a country to get through very very difficult times. And a lot of those values are very basic. It's mutual respect. Uh it's respect for people of different colors, of different religions, from different countries. It's a respect for the law and an acknowledgment as a citizen that in addition to the rights that one has as a citizen, freedom of press, freedom of association, freedom of religion, freedom to speak, you really have obligations as a citizen to strengthen the bonds of affection that we need amongst ourselves to be able get through tough times when we have significant disagreements about the world we're in. So for two people like Judge Sessions and me who were born here and who were able to take for granted that this is the country and this is these are the freedoms that we're entitled to but who are sensitive to the reality that these are being challenged as we sit here. And it's a testing time for our country to renew its common commitment to the values of this country. Help is on the way. Every single one of you who is going to be sworn in today has made an affirmative choice with eyes wide open that you want to be a citizen and accept the responsibilities of citizenship. So when I think about Judge Sessions story where there were people he swore in who then became not just citizens but just fully energetic committed engaged people who provided their skills in this case to say Judge Sessions. Today I feel as a US senator that help is here. Each of these new citizens is going to remind us through your efforts, through your commitment to the well-being of your fellow citizens that our country is going to get through the times we're in and come out better and we're going to come out stronger. So, every single one of us who is on this side of citizenship on which you'll be joining us in a moment is absolutely thrilled that you're here and that we're going to be working together each and every day in our own way to strengthen our families, to strengthen our communities, and to strengthen our country. So I say thank you and I know I'm joined in giving you that gratitude by my colleague Senator Sanders and my colleague Congresswoman Balon. So thank you and congratulations. All right, let's um do the roll call. So, as your name um is mentioned. Oh, the pres. Oh, right. The presentation for the presentation. Yes, we have the presentation for Yes. >> Good afternoon, your honor. It is my privilege to present to the court 47 applicants for natural 21 countries. Each applicant has been examined by an officer of the USC and each applicant has been found to be eligible for naturalization. USCs now comes before the court to all candidates. Your honor, there are also eight applicants that have requested that a change of name be granted by the court. The service no objection to this request. Thank you. >> Thank you. And that motion uh is granted. So uh as your name is read, I'd ask that you stand. Um and then I'm going to give the oath and you repeat uh taking the oath after me. Um, but in the meantime, once everyone is standing, I'm going to invite anyone who wishes to take a picture of the new citizens taking their oath to come into the well of the courtroom so that you can actually take a picture of uh the new citizen uh taking their uh taking their oath. So, would you read the role? And thank you for reminding me about the motion. >> All right. As you hear your name, please stand and then remain standing until everyone's name is called and then we'll be healed all together. If anybody wants to follow along the written on the front of the program, please stand. Eloi Manata Luke Richard Conan Joan Elizabeth shortsleeve Syambba Okum Khan Selene Yao Nita Mu Juan Carlos Asencio Kellyan Andra Phillips, Jamila Muhammad Gabu, Tay Stina Ko, Ramand Mustafa, Fationa, Shalabates, Sadiki, Majaliwa, Buddha Singh, Tam, Krishna Kumar, Mumagar, Ranata, Tani Sawyer, Adam John Taft, Raphael Marshon Lifer, Carolina Emerick Lynn, Ani Ho, Tan Wang, Wyn, Jason Christopher Hoo, John Cole Booby, Mariam Muganga Maya, Tayasa Severs, Pauline Patricia Tyler, Peter Martin Vandermade, Reena Limbu, Habiba Abdi Raman, Kassen, Peritier Lampuya, Seaorn P. Manau Nilgun Tapuku Zamongus Lucy Henriette Pul Wahira Muhammad Thomas David Mecca Subimal Yin Chloe Fiddler Madu Lamin Hussein Shabi Amorei Shaughnessy Richard Goodfellow, Gail Elizabeth Margaret Gazo, Rejit Lavoy, Karen Cesia, Nina Ramos, Barbara Columbbo, Joelle Kalongo, Kavasle. Now uh is there anyone who would like to come forward and take uh a photograph of the new citizens uh taking their oath? Uh I invite you to come into the well of the room at this point. Okay. I ask uh all of you to raise your right hand and repeat uh after me. I state your name >> hereby declare >> declare >> on oath >> that I absolutely and entirely >> I absolutely and >> renounce and adure >> reounce andure >> all allegiance and fidelity >> all ality >> to any foreign prince >> to any foreign potentate, state or sovereignty. Of whom? of whom or which >> of whom or which >> I have here to for >> I have here for >> in a subject or citizen >> a subject or citizen >> that I will support and defend >> the Constitution >> and the laws of the United States of America >> and the laws of the United States of America >> against all enemies enemies >> against all enemies, >> foreign and domestic. >> That I will bear true faith >> and allegiance to the same. >> and allegiance to the same. that I will bear arms >> I will bear arms >> on behalf of the United States >> when required by the law >> required by the law >> that I will perform non-combatant service >> that I will perform non service >> in the armed forces of the United States >> in the armed forces >> when required by the law >> that I will perform work >> perform work >> of national importance >> under civilian directions >> when required by the law >> and that I take this obligation freely >> I take this obligation freely >> without any mental reservation >> or purpose of evasion >> for reservation So help me God, we're still affirmed. >> On behalf of the people of the United States, name you citizens of the United States of America. So for the presentation of the certificates of C citizenship, I'm going to invite the marshall um Senator Welch and Secretary Steel to join me. Um, and you'll go out right in front as your name is read, come out and uh go through the line. Take your take your certificate. And if there's anyone who would like to take a photograph of the new citizen receiving their certificate, you're invited to come forward. We're going to be out there in front and you can take that photograph. Okay. We'll have you start. Okay, let's get started. Uh welcome to all these new citizens starting with you now. Luke Richard is formerly Congo and Mr. Khan is formerly the United Kingdom. We have Carolanne Marie Oriel Carmen Libido formerly in Canada. She's grew. I know she wasn't in her seat. I'm right here. Please come down. I'm so sorry. This is your >> There she is. Carolina Canada. Congratulations. Next we have Joan Elizabeth Schwarzene for Canada. Peace, formerly of Sagal, Samba Buun Khan, formerly of Sagal. Nahu formerly of Togo. Juan Carlos Asencio formerly of Guatemala. >> Kelly Lassandra Phillips formerly in Canada. Jamila Muhammad Gaboo formerly of Somalia. Tay, formerly of Nurma, Tina Co, formerly of Switzerland, Ram Mustafa, formerly of Congo. Fantastical formerly of Congo Singh formerly of THE Krishna Umar Magar formerly of Utah. Ranada Tigani Sawyer formerly of Brazil. Adam John Taff formerly of the United Kingdom. Raphael Marshon Lifer formerly OF FRANCE. CAROLINA Everett Lynn, formerly of Brazil. Monte Ho, formerly of Vietnam. Kim Wong W, formerly of Vietnam. Jason Christopher G, FORMERLY John Cole Ruthie, formerly of the United Kingdom. Mariama Maya, formerly of Somalia. Basicia Sabers, formerly of Germany. Colleen Patricia Tyler, formerly of Kotar, Peter Martin Vander, formerly of the Netherlands. Rena, formerly of Utah, Aiva Abdi Raman Kasim for Somalia Muya formerly of CONGO formerly of Thailand. Zumakus, formerly in Canada, Lucy Henri, formerly of Canada. Wajita Muhammad, formerly of Burma. Thomas David Mecca, formerly of the United Kingdom, Subm of Iran, formerly of Taiwan. Chloe Fidler, formerly of United Kingdom. Madu Lamin, formerly Hussei Angori, formerly of Shanti Richard Goodell, formerly of Canada. Elizabeth Margaret Gaza, formerly Canada, Bridget Lavoy, formerly of Canada. Karen Cia Nina Ramos, formerly of Peru, Barbara Palumbo, formerly of Italy. Joel Pondo, formerly of Congo. And once again, congratulations to all our new Everyone, please climb back your way back to your seats and stand for the pledge of allegiance and then remain standing while elders are retired. invited Sarah from Hanza to >> Sorry, scratch that. We are going to have some words from the Secretary of State and then you will have a pledge of allegiance. Thank you so much for bearing with us today. >> You can be seated. I realize I'm standing between you and a hug and a celebration with all of your friends and family who are here with you today. So, I will be very brief. It is an honor as Vermont's chief elections officer to be the first person to say to you, welcome. Welcome to citizenship with all of its rights and obligations. and welcome to your newfound ability to come together with us to help us as solve big problems. That's what voting is for in a democracy. Voting is so that we can tell our leaders what we want them to focus on and problems we want them to fix. And so it is an honor to be here today to welcome you to register to vote. Uh our friends at the League of Women Voters have a a table in the hallway. Please do stop by. We have voter registration forms that you can fill out right now or you can use the QR code to pull up the website where you can register to vote uh later. But I do encourage you to register to vote as soon as possible because you may have heard we have a little election coming up and we would love to have you all participate as new citizens of the United States of America. Um those of you who watched the receiving line may wonder why is the Secretary of State handing out a comic book. Um, and that is because this book is entitled Freedom and Unity, a guide to civics and democracy in Vermont. So, from start to finish, it explains how we organize ourselves at the community level, at the state level, and how we send our representatives to Congress in Washington DC. Um, it really is a good guide to how to get involved and how to make an impact. And I hope that you will. I hope that you know how excited we are to welcome you as our new citizens and as our neighbors. And thank you. just have a couple of announcements. Obviously, there there's a way to sign up for the passports as well as uh voting uh at the close of the ceremony and that's right here. Uh also uh once the ceremony has uh ended, then I will come back uh into the room, stand to there, ask um Secretary of State to join me. Um, and you can take whatever photographs uh you wish with with uh with us. So that'll be right after the ceremony. At this point uh for the pledge of allegiance, I'm going to ask the US Marshall John Hall to come forward. Would you please stand uh for the pledge of allegiance? >> Please join me in reciting 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, liberty, liberty, and justice. >> And would you please remain standing for the retirement of the colors. I love you. It has been very much an honor for me to officiate at your naturalization ceremony. Congratulations to all of you. And I want to make an announcement that the League of Women Voters has graciously offered to provide a reception which is in the Cedar Creek room just this direction to your right. And that's also if you keep going that way, you'll find the passport office with their um their table set up and you can assist you with your passport applications which is really nice benefit that they're offering today. Thank you all for coming. Congratulations