‘100,000 Welcomes’ Issued During Pennsbury Manor’s Naturalization Ceremony
It’s often that born citizens of America take for granted what so many around the world seek to achieve.
For a group of a few dozen on Wednesday morning, that achievement will forever be one of the most imperative days of their lives.
At Pennsbury Manor in Falls Township, a select group rose to become naturalized citizens of the United States of America. They arrived from near and far, sometimes first visiting America decades ago, before achieving their ultimate dream – citizenship.
“This has been such a long time coming,” said one woman, originally from the Dominican Republic. “I first visited America in the 1990’s.”
As they heard their name called along the Delaware River, they rose to shake the hands of officials throughout the area, and be formally welcomed into the country. “I finally did it,” one woman chanted as she received her certificate and took a picture with her daughter.
Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) who spoke at the event, said he was honored to be a part of such a great day, “This is a day you all will remember for the rest of your life,” he said to the crowd. Fitzpatrick, of mostly Irish ancestry, wished a common Gaelic phrase among the crowd, “Ciad Mile Failte,” or 100,000 welcomes.