American citizen permitted to do so in the entire war. Explore our nations past on American History tv every weekend on cspan3. Now, it is a u. S. National relations ceremony, and Vice President pence delivered remarks at the event that took place at the eisenhower building yesterday in washington, d. C. This is from yesterday and about 35 minutes. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Washington District director at u. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ms. Sarah taylor, and associate director and directorate of immigration and also the Vice President of the United States, mike pence. Good afternoon. My name is sarah taylor and im the district director of citizenship. It is an honor to be here to celebrate your citizenship, and welcome you, your guests and families here at the special naturalization here at the eisenhower south court auditorium. I would like to thank the Vice President for hosting us here in this special place. Today, we celebrate you as americas newest citizens, and we celebrate Constitution Day and citizenship day as part of constitution week. We mark this special celebration by connecting the constitution and citizenship and reflecting on what it means to become a United States citizen. To officially begin the ceremony, i would like to ask everyone to rise. Place your right hand over your heart for the singing of the National Anthem by musician first class u. S. Navy danley kwanka. O say, can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming . Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight oer the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming . And the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh, say, does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . Thank you. That was beautiful. Everyone, please be seated. Now i have the privilege of calling the countrys of naturalization candidates. Candidates when you hear your country of nationality called, please stand and remain standing for the administration of the oath. Afghanistan, bangladesh, bolivia, china, coat devore, croatia, el salvador, ethiopia, france, germany, ghana, guatemala, india, iraq, israel, kenya, malawi, mauritius, pakistan, peru, philippines, sierra leone, syria, uzbekistan and vietnam. Mr. Renaud, i represent 26 candidates who have applied to become members of the United States. Each has been interviewed by uscis, and they have demonstrated the ability to read, write and speak words in the english language. Each has demonstrated his or her knowledge of the understanding of the history and the principles and the form of government of the United States. Mr. Renaud, i recommend that they be administered the oath of allegiance and making them citizens of the United States. Thank you, director taylor. It is my honor to administer the oath of allegiance today. Candidates for citizenship, please raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, hereby declare on oath, that i absolutely and entire ly, renounce and adjure all allegiance of fidelity to any former prince, potentate, state or sovereignty or which i have heretofore been a subject or citizen. That i will support and defend the constitution and laws of the United States of america against all enemies foreign and domestic, that i will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that i will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law, that i will perform noncombatant service in the armed forces of the United States when required by the law, that i will perform work of National Importance under civilian direction when required by the law, and that i take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion so help me god. Congratulations. [ applause ] if efveryone would remain standing, i would like to ask you all to join in the pledge of allegiance. Unlike the oath, well recite the pledge of allegiance in uniform. Please place your right hand over your heart, face the flag and join me in saying the pledge of allegiance. Thank you you may be seated. What a great day. On behalf of all of men and women, im honored to be the first person to call you my fellow americans. Today we have much to celebrate. We celebrate you, the newest citizens of the United States and we celebrate Constitution Day and citizenship day as part of constitution week. During constitution week we honor the anniversary of the signing of the United States constitution on september 17th, 1787 in philadelphia. We reflect on what it means to be a citizen of the United States of america. As part of the celebration, we welcome thousands of new u. S. Citizens just like you in special naturalization ceremonies across the country. Perhaps none as special as this one though. In the process of becoming United States citizens, you learned our nations history, you studied our form of government, our founding documents, and freedoms we share because of the actions our founders took to secure the blessings of liberty for all americans. Now as citizens of this great country, American History is your history. Today in taking the oath of allegiance to support and defend the constitution and laws of the United States of america, you have gained important new rights and responsibilities along with ownership of americas future. I hope this day inspires you to fully exercise those rights and meet the responsibilities that accompany your new status as the United States citizens. I encourage each of you to be active and engaged citizens in members of your community, cast your vote during elections, serve on a jury if called, and learn about issues affecting you and your community. You may choose to add our nation add to our nations entrepreneurial spirit by operating a business, you can represent your community, state or nation by running for public office. You may also choose to join our armed forces, these are just some of the ways that you can be involved. Taking the oath of allegiance and embracing u. S. Citizenship is remarkable act of patriotism and we are a stronger nation today because of naturalized citizens like you, individuals who followed the rules, upheld our laws, and chose to make a permanent commitment to the United States of america. Im confident that your spirit and dedication will contribute to the continued prosperity, strength and wellbeing of our nation. During this constitution week, i congratulate each of you and welcome you as our newest citizens and thank you for making we the people 28 persons stronger. Now, ladies and gentlemen, now ladies and gentlemen, it is my honor to introduce the 48th Vice President of the United States, mike pence. I have more. [ applause ] mr. Vice president , thank you for joining us. To associate director daniel reno to district director sarah taylor, to all of you gathered here to celebrate this very special moment, it is Constitution Day in america. But this is your day, your first day as american citizens. And you have our congratulations. On behalf of the first family, let me say welcome to the white house. And welcome to the american family. [ applause ] i cant i just dont think any american can fail to be moved by a moment like this. And were deeply inspired by your example. And the warmth and enthusiasm that we see on your faces and the faces of your loved ones that are gathered here. Today youve come to the end of at least a chapter on your journey. Youve come from 26 countries across five continents, im also told you come from about every walk of life, looking forward to shaking each one of your hands. And today we have with us a Small Business owner, Human Resources executive, a hairstylist, a student, a computer scientist, a bank teller, just to name a few. And you all have one thing in common, you aspire to be americans. You stepped forward, you followed the law, you went through the process and today you are american citizens. Well done. [ applause ] and now that the process is complete, you joined the ranks of the freest and most prosperous nation in the history of the world. You have our congratulations. And also you have the congratulations of a man who is himself as my family is, the product of immigration, the man i served with every day and i had a lot in common. Some people think were different, but the truth of the matter is our family stories are very similar. Our fathers both built Small Businesses as first generation american families, but our grandfathers both emigrated to this country, just like you did. And so on my behalf, my familys behalf and on behalf of the 45th president of the United States of america, president donald trump, i offer you our congratulations. Well done. Now, as americans, youll have all the rights and privileges of citizenship. Youll participate in many debates in american life, including debates over immigration in this country. But as you experience today, make no mistake about it, the United States of america is the most generous and welcoming system of immigration in the history of the world and you prove that again today. Im proud to report that last year alone more than threequarter of a Million People raised their right hand just like you and joined the american family. But today is a special day not only for you, but as has been mentioned several times, it is also a special day because it was on this day, september 17th, 232 years ago, that the constitution of the United States of america was signed. It was an extraordinary moment, not just in American History, it was an extraordinary moment in human history. And today, it is your constitution. So i want to encourage you, i want to encourage each and every one of you to study it. Understand it. I was a teenager when i first began to study and understand the constitution of the United States. And it has it has been a decades long love affair with this document. I want to encourage you to understand it better. Constitution that you just swore an oath to support and defend. I study the genius of the american founding, study the rights and liberties that are now yours. And live out your promise today to support and defend the constitution as americans. There is a famous story at the close of the constitutional convention, perhaps happened on this very day 232 years ago, the Benjamin Franklin was walking out, and a little old lady stopped him on the street and asked him what kind of government they had formed. Benjamin franklin history records replied a republic, madam, if you can keep it. And now i say i say with great pride, 232 years on, because of the sacrifices, determination of generations of americans that you are now joining. We have kept it, we have kept the republic, we have kept our constitution. But my other admonition to you is always remember that youre inheriting a legacy that has been bought at a price. Our founders risked their lives, their fortunes, their sacred honor to found this nation and every generation since. Men and women have put on the uniform of the United States to ensure the continued success and vitality of this republic. And so as you join the american family, join with a heart felt of gratitude, for those who have gone before, for the sacrifices they have made, and gratitude to every man and woman who wears the uniform of the United States today. [ applause ] freedom is not for the feint of heart. Freedom requires vigilance. And sacrifice. And youre now joining youre now joining a nation that cherishes individual liberty. Creates opportunities for all. Only ask that you work hard, step forward, respect our laws, and you can live your dreams. And now that example and that story includes all of you. And it is wonderful for me to be able to welcome you personally. I heard of the story of a man who came to the United States from bolivia, 21 years ago. I heard he met the love of his life here, raised a good family, built a career in banking, retired from the Interamerican Development bank, jorge salazar, welcome to america. [ applause ] im also told there is an honorary hoosier in the room. Thats what we call those of us from indiana. She came here as an Exchange Student in high school from germany. Where she received some warm midwestern hospitality that were known for out my way. Lived up there near lake michigan, no wonder she wanted to come back. She built a life and career and today monica irkenhouser is an american. Welcome. [ applause ] i could go through all of your stories. I know they would all be equally inspiring. But i wanted to mention the two of them. Just so that all of you know that the president and i all know that our nation grows because of the hard work and sacrifice of generations of americans. But it is individual americans. Here in america, we believe in the individual. We believe in the ability of every individual to live out their dreams. Thats what i want to leave you with today. Just with a challenge, not so much as your Vice President , but just as a fellow american. I want to leave you with a challenge. You have become citizens of the freest and most prosperous nation in the history of the world. And there is an old proverb that says to who much is given, much will be required. So be prepared to exercise your new prerogatives as citizens of the United States of america. For good. And it will benefit your family, your community, your state and your nation throughout your life. It is now up to you to do your part to keep the republic. So find the role you can play and play it. Find a way also to give back. And it doesnt always have to be in large and obvious ways. Raise a great family. Build a career, build a business, be a good neighbor. Be a schoolteacher. Volunteer your time to a local charity or service club. Serve in the uniform of the United States or put on the uniform of Law Enforcement in this country. You might even run for elected office. But find a way to live out the promise that you made today. Promise that you made not to just to document 232 years ago, but to your fellow americans, find it and live it out. Live out your commitment to this country by creating more opportunity for your family and your fellow citizens. Live out the oath you took today by contributing to the life of this nation. Use your freedom for good. And america will be stronger for you being here. Congratulations again, you all made a remarkable journey to arrive at this moment and it is humbling for me to stand before you today as the grandson of an irish immigrant. I cant help but fail to be moved by your courage, your tenacity, and your determination to join the american family. It can be a long journey, but youre all willing to make that journey and we commend you for it. Today with the solemn and sacred oath, you have sworn to uphold the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and expect nothing less. Youve inherited a legacy of liberty that generations of americans have paid for. Some with their very lives. That legacy is now yours. Live out that legacy. Finally, have faith. And dream big. In many ways it is what it means to be an american. Believe in the unlimited possibilities that now lie before you as americans. Here in the land of the free and the home of the grabrave, no drs are too big so just go live them. Live them for your families, your children and your childrens children. Because here in america, anybody can be anybody. Dream big. Work hard. Skys the limit. And congratulations on joining the american family. [ applause ] god bless you. All right. Thank you, sir, for those inspiring remarks. At this time, i have the privilege of presenting our new citizens with their naturalization certificates. New citizens, as you hear your name called, please proceed to this side. Youll have an opportunity to shake hands with the Vice President and receive your certificate from mr. Renaud. Gabriela lucero smith. [ applause ] lynn t. Miho. [ applause ] Monica Sophie irkenhouser. [ applause ] Hussein Hamid dalwi. [ applause ] abdul samad bahair stonasi and ahmed stonasi. [ applause ] Jorge Alberto contero salazar. [ applause ] vili shao. [ applause ] elmer monfredo barrios perez. [ applause ] beza maconin tamesken. [ applause ] lynn habatu askadom. [ applause ] ibrahim jadoa alrahami. [ applause ] Marie Danielle ahuh anui. [ applause ] madim mohammad. [ applause ] apsha amin. [ applause ] marie claire nukmin sanwonchip. [ applause ] abi amanofff. [ applause ] mislof taluchik. [ applause ] esther tobin. [ applause ] jane kanu. [ applause ] Camille Weber chand. [ applause ] camille, okay, there you go. [ applause ] Nico Nicoletta ahmed jerzavetta. [ applause ] parvez hussein. [ applause ] stacy eve ann tim. [ applause ] tabashor rahman malik. [ applause ] anna lynn rola via. [ applause ] Freddie Javier torres egas. [ applause ] please lets have a round of applause for americas newest citizens. [ cheers and applause ] mr. Vice president , i want to thank you again for hosting us here and allowing us to have this incredibly special and memorable day with our newest citizens. Id like to invite miss quinnka to the podium to sing God Bless America to close todays ceremony. God bless america land that i love stand beside her and guide her through the night with the light from above from the mountains to the prairies to the oceans white with foam God Bless America my Home Sweet HomeGod Bless America my Home Sweet Home [ applause ] thank you, everyone. Congratulations. A Group Picture before they break up . Citizens, quick, up here on the stage. Were going to do a Group Picture. Everybody say usa. Usa one more time, everybody. Lets give them a round of applause. [ applause ] earlier today, President Trump announced a new sanctions against iran in response to the recent strikes on saudi arabias oil industry. Both the soud saudy government and the u. S. Government have blamed iran for the attacks. And the saudis have presented what it claims are