Americanization; Civics; Immigrants -- United States; Naturalization -- United States; Noncitizens -- United States
There is a growing movement in favor of having public ceremonies
of “initiation,” in which the whole community is represented, to
welcome the new citizens; to impress upon both the newcomers and the
people to whose fellowship they are being welcomed, the importance
and solemnity of the occasion. An increasing number of judges are
carrying out this idea in their naturalization proceedings; adding
to the formalities required by the law a speech either by the judge
himself or by some representative citizen, or both, in which the
momentous significance of the act in which the alien and the court
have joined is emphasized. Some judges make a practice of giving to
each new citizen a small flag, a special certificate, a leaflet or
brochure setting forth the sentiments appropriate to the occasion.
Much more common is it becoming for public-spirited citizens to
organize a meeting of the same import. Here, for example, is the
program of such a meeting, held in the Music Hall at Fall River,
Massachusetts, on May 7, 1919, following a naturalization session of
the local court, designated as “Reception and Welcome to Fall River’s
Newly Naturalized Citizens”:
PROGRAM
HON. HENRY F. NICKERSON, Presiding
Music _Orchestra_
Singing--“America” _Audience_
Address of Welcome _Hon. Henry F. Nickerson_
Response by a naturalized citizen _James B. Kerr_
Selection _Orchestra_
Address _Rev. Everett C. Herrick_
Pledge of Allegiance--_Led by Boy Scouts_:
“I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the
country for which it stands; one nation,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Presentation of Certificates of Naturalization
_M. B. Irish, Sec. Fall River Immigrant Committee_
Prayer _Rev. Vincent Marchildon_
Singing--“Star-spangled Banner” _Audience_
Informal Reception
Here is another program--of the “Americanization Meeting in honor of
those who were admitted to citizenship April 19, 21, 22, 1920,” held
in the Union High School at Grand Rapids, Michigan, April 30, 1920,
under the auspices of the Grand Rapids Board of Education and the
Americanization Society:
PROGRAM
HENRY E. CROW, President of the Board of Education, Presiding
JOHN W. BEATTIE, Supervisor of Music, Song Leader
Song--“America” _Audience_
Address _Christian Gallmeyer, Mayor of Grand Rapids_
Folk Games _Pupils Sibley School_
Directed by _Miss Ila Krumheuer_
Address _Fred J. Schlotfeldt,
Chief Naturalization Examiner, Chicago, Ill._
Songs _Audience_
Presentation of Citizenship Certificates
_Judge Willis B. Perkins, Circuit Court_
Pledge of Allegiance to Flag--_Audience, led by Boy Scouts_:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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