First Ceremony at the New York City Memorial Welcomes 30 New U.S. Citizens
Congresswoman Maloney Addresses New Citizens in Keynote Speech
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park today hosted a citizenship ceremony conducted by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in which 30 candidates from multiple countries around the world officially became citizens of the United States.
USCIS Acting New York District Director Phyllis A. Coven delivered the Oath of Allegiance to the new Americans and Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (NY-12) gave the keynote address. Ambassador William J. vanden Heuvel, Chair Emeritusof the Four Freedoms Park Conservancy, also spoke at the ceremony, which was the first of its kind to be held at the memorial.
"We are honored to have such a significant event take place at the FDR Four Freedoms Park," said Ambassador vanden Heuvel. "I cannot think of a more powerful way to pay tribute to President Roosevelt's legacy than to welcome new citizens into this great country here at the Park."
The Park, which just marked the one year anniversary of its dedication, celebrates the four essential freedoms that President Roosevelt outlined in his famous 1941 State of the Union speech: freedom of speech and expression, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.
"I am thrilled and honored to be participating in the naturalization of 30 new U.S. citizens - many of whom are veterans and military family members. I cannot think of a better way and a better place to honor these brave men and women, and their family members. Many of them have worked and struggled for many years to earn their citizenship. U.S. citizenship represents the promise of opportunity, tolerance and liberty, and Four Freedoms Park was built to pay tribute to these ideals, all of which are being celebrated today. I congratulate all of these new U.S. citizens," said Congresswoman Maloney.
"Four Freedoms Park is a fitting place for 30 new U.S. citizens to celebrate the freedoms they now share, and for all of us to honor the veterans who have selflessly defended those freedoms," said Phyllis A. Coven, Acting District Director of the New York District Office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The 30 candidates who participated in the ceremony include individuals with a military background in the United States. All together, they have origins in 25 different countries: Antigua-Barbuda, Austria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Guinea, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Nigeria, Peru, Philippines, Russia, St. Martin, South Korea, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and Venezuela.
For photos from the event, please visit: www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org
About the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, a New York State Park, is the only memorial dedicated to the former President in his home state of New York. Located on a triangular four-acre plot on the southern tip of Roosevelt Island in the East River in the heart of New York City, the Park designed by Louis I. Kahn, includes walkways lined with trees, waterfront promenades, a portrait bust of President Roosevelt created by artist Jo Davidson, and, carved in the 'Room,' the Four Freedoms described in Roosevelt's historic January 6, 1941 State of the Union address: freedom of speech and expression; freedom of worship; freedom from want; and freedom from fear. First announced in 1973 by Governor Nelson Rockefeller, Mayor John Lindsay, and other visionary urban planners, the monument's design was the last work of the late Louis I. Kahn, an iconic architect of the 20th century. Dedicated on October 17, 2012, the Park is operated in partnership with New York State by the Four Freedoms Park Conservancy. For more information on Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, please visit: www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org.
Media:Annie Kempton, 646.805.2080AnneChristine.Kempton@rlmfinsbury.comorStephen Martin, 212.217.9336smartin@fdrffp.org