NATURALIZED U.S. CITIZENS WELCOMED

James A. Garfield Historic Site hosts naturalization ceremony

For Jacqueline Betegne Netadje, becoming a United States citizen means being able to live in the same country as her husband.

Netadje, who is from Cameroon, a Central African country, said her husband lived in America five years before she could join him.

“It was very hard and painful,” she said.

On July 7, Netadje, along with about 30 others from different countries, received their U.S. citizenship during a naturalization ceremony hosted by the James A. Garfield Site in Mentor.

“I’m very excited,” she said.

Netadje, who now resides in Mentor, said she teaches French at Lake Erie College in Painesville and hopes to later get involved in government.

Lake County Commissioner Jerry Cirino said he truly understands the value of U.S. citizenship.

“I’m a son of an immigrant who came here in 1936 and I can tell you, as something you may already know, that not only is today a very special day for each of you taking the oath and for your

“Your diversity is a strength for us and it makes us better as a country.” — James A. Garfield Site Manager Todd Arrington

immediate family, but the action that you are taking today, a privilege of citizenship that will be bestowed upon you when you are taking the oath, is something that will affect generations to come in your family,” Cirino said. “I can attest to that.”

James A. Garfield Site Manager Todd Arrington welcomed the new citizens who came from Canada, Mexico, South Korea, India, Togo, Venezuela, Liberia, Taiwan, Spain, Philippines, Syria, Laos, Moldova,

Ukraine, Greece, United

Kingdom, South Africa, China, Russia and Pakistan.

He shared a quote from President John F. Kennedy that states, “Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.”

“Your diversity is a strength for us and it makes us better as a country,” Arrington said.

The ceremony was moved indoors to Faith Lutheran Church because of the threat of rain. United States District Court Magistrate Judge William Baughman led the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance and presented the Certificates of Naturalization.

“Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.” — James A. Garfield Site Manager Todd Arrington quoting President John F. Kennedy

TAWANA ROBERTS — THE NEWS-HERALD U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge William Baughman presents the new U.S. citizens with Certificates of Naturalization on July 7.

TAWANA ROBERTS– THE NEWS-HERALD New U.S. citizens rejoice after taking the oath of allegiance at the naturalization ceremony in Mentor on July 7.

TAWANA ROBERTS — THE NEWS-HERALD U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge William Baughman led the Naturalization Oath of Allegiance in Mentor. About 30 people obtained U.S. citizenship on July 7.