NATURALIZATION CEREMONY

OCTOBER 25, 2013

1. OPENING OF COURT:

Please be seated.

2. INTRODUCTION:

Good Morning and welcome to this glorious day. I am United States District Court Judge Gina Groh, and I will be presiding over today’s ceremony. It is a pleasure to be convened here today for the naturalization of foreign- born individuals who are taking the final steps toward becoming citizens of the United State of America. I want to welcome all of the applicants, their families and friends to this very special ceremony.

3. PRESENTATION OF COLORS AND NATIONAL ANTHEM:

Please rise and remain standing for the posting of colors by the U.S. Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard and while Tristen Brewster sings the National Anthem.

4. INVOCATION:

We will now have the invocation by Rev. Eric Hall of St. Joseph Parish in Martinsburg. 5. PRESENTATION OF NEW CITIZENS AND MOTION ON PETITION:

At this time the Court recognizes the immigration services officer of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Officer David Briceland.

The Motion and Petitions for admission to citizenship (and change of name) are approved and granted.

6. INTRODUCTION BY COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

Ladies and Gentlemen, today we have 38 men and women who call home 21 different countries. I now will call each country of origin by name and ask the petitioners to stand when they hear their homeland called. I ask that our petitioners remain standing so they can take the oath of naturalization.

Bangladesh Barbados Bulgaria Cameroon Dominican Republic Germany Ghana Greece Guyana Iran Jamaica Kenya Liberia Mexico People’s Republic of China Peru Romania South Korea Vietnam Zimbabwe 7. OATH OF ALLEGIANCE:

We will now administer the oath of Naturalization. Will each of you please raise your right hand and at the conclusion of the oath say “I do.”

8. DECLARATION:

BY THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME AS A UNITED STATES JUDGE, I HEREBY DECLARE THAT EACH OF YOU IS NOW A CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

CONGRATULATIONS!

9. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

Will Boy Scout Troop 66 please come forward? Of special note is that 18 year old Ryan Inman, an Eagle Scout, will be arriving at Paris Island on Monday to begin his service to our country in the Marine Corps. Would everyone please rise as the Boys Scout Troop 66 leads us in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

10. VIDEO PRESENTATION:

Barak Obama, President of the United States of America, now has some remarks for you.

11. KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

I am proud to introduce our keynote speaker, Senator , III, who is one of ’s two United States Senators. Senator Manchin was sworn into the U.S. Senate on November 15, 2010. He currently serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Senate Armed Services Committee, The Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs and the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Those committees tackle the important work of addressing our nation’s energy needs, standing up for members of the military and focusing on the needs of senior citizens. Senator Manchin served as West Virginia’s 34th Governor from January 2005 to November 2010. Before he was governor, Senator Manchin served as Secretary of State from 2000 to 2004 and was a state legislator from 1982 to 1996. Prior to public service, Senator Manchin became a successful businessman after attending West Virginia University on a football scholarship.

Senator Manchin was born and raised in the small coal mining town of Farmington, West Virginia. He learned firsthand from his grandfather, who was an Italian immigrant and the town grocer, the importance of serving the public and from his grandmother, the value of helping those less fortunate.

Senator Manchin is an avid pilot, outdoorsman, hunter, angler and motorcyclist. He has been married for more than four decades to his lovely wife Gayle and they have three children and seven grandchildren.

Welcome, Senator Manchin and thank you for joining us here today.

12. PRESENTATION OF CITIZENSHIP CERTIFICATES:

Senator Joe Manchin will now present our new fellow Americans with their citizenship certificates. Senator Manchin, would you please join Officer Briceland by the podium? * * Senator Manchin is on a very tight schedule today and needs to move on to another appearance but thank you Senator Manchin for taking time out of your busy schedule to honor our new citizens.

13. PRESENTATIONS FROM GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS:

Our U.S. Senator Jay and U.S Congresswoman would like to congratulate our new citizens and welcome each and every one to this great state of West Virginia.

Representatives Senator Rockefeller and Congresswoman Capito’s local Martinsburg offices are here to address you on their behalf.

Penny Porter

Ashley O’Brien

15. REMARKS FROM CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS:

Now some volunteers from community service organizations are going to welcome our new citizens.

First- we have with us Eugene Kinder of the Martinsburg Civitan Club.

Next- we have Cheryl Brown, of the Pack Horse Ford Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. These Ladies descend from those patriots who fought to secure America’s independence.

16. EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION: In a few moments, our ceremony will be coming to a close. Before the benediction, I must extend a huge expression of appreciation to everyone who joined us in this celebration and who participated.

Thank you to our participants, The Berkeley County Air Force Junior ROTC Color Guard, Tristen Brewster and her lovely voice, Rev. R. Eric Hall for leading us in prayer, Mr. Briceland for presenting these fine new citizens, Boys Scout Troop 66 for leading us in the pledge, Mr. Kinder, Ms. Brown, Ms. Porter and Ms. O’Brien.

And special thanks indeed to the DAR for hosting the reception which will be held on the first floor of the courthouse immediately following this ceremony. Also, following the ceremony Bonnie Woodfall of Berkeley County and Jennifer Maghan of Jefferson County’s County Clerk will be available to assist you with voter registration.

Once again, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you on this great accomplishment. As I sit here today, I think of my grandfather, Amedeo Minichilli, who at the age of 16 came here from Italy in 1920 through Ellis Island with his twin brother and just $40 in his pocket. He taught his grandchildren about our proud ethnic heritage and how to exercise our rights and protect those of others. He, like you, became a U.S. citizen and called this country home. Welcome home my fellow Americans. You will enrich and sustain our nation.

17. BENEDICTION AND GOD BLESS AMERICA:

Please stand for the benediction by Rev. Eric Hall, which will be followed by God Bless America led by Tristen Brewster. Afterward, please feel free to join the reception downstairs and to take pictures in the courtroom.

Court is adjourned.