CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- They come from all over the world; 472 men and women from 82 countries stood proudly, holding their tiny American Flags.
"This is the best day of my life," said Maricriz Zhabez from Peru, who immigrated to the U.S. 15 years ago.
"I'm so happy to part of the United States, I'm so proud of myself to get my citizenship today. I'm so happy to now be part of this great country. I love everything about this country."
Judge Matthew Kennelly, with the Northern District of Illinois, administered the oath of allegiance. He said citizenship comes with responsibility.
"The message I'd like to leave with you is set an example for your fellow citizens, make your voices heard, become involved in your communities, and exercise your right to vote. If you do those things, you'll help our country continue to improve and continue be a place people will want to come to just like you and your families did," he said.
Governor JB Pritzker was also in attendance.
"It's a real pleasure to join you on this very, very, very special day," Pritzker said. "For many whose parents and grandparents landed on these shores from somewhere less hospitable in search for a new land of opportunity, a renewed sense of patriotism is found in the smiles of the faces of you and your loved ones. Each American citizen born or naturalized writes their own piece of our American story."
Serena Panthangi is from India.
"I'm going to be a United States citizen," she smiled with disbelief. "The country has freedom of speech, religion, and here is safer for me. I'm so happy today and I'm really proud," she said.
Panthangi is wasting no time making everything official.
"After this, I am going to apply for my passport, get my state ID. Then I'll celebrate with my kids," she smiled.
The naturalization ceremony was a first of its kind in the Auditorium Theater's 132 year history.
Related
