Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for the time, and I thank Mr. Smith for his kind words and his support of the bill and his suggestions to change the bill. Any Member of Congress, any American for that matter, who has ever been to one of these ceremonies knows that there is no greater joy seen anywhere than when folks dress up and come with their American flags to become American citizens. It is really a wonderful event. I have had the opportunity to attend a few and have seen the joy and the pride. Usually, one person is becoming a citizen, but he or she will bring 25 members of the family, whether they are citizens or not, because it is that kind of an occasion. It is also an occasion where they, for the first time, really get to see government up close in that the people that are invited there are from the community, but they are government officials and so on. So up to now--if this bill becomes law--the only people allowed to administer the oath, as has been said, are judges or members of the administration. This bill would allow Members of Congress and Senators to administer that oath. Now, while the bill does not speak directly to this issue, I will tell you how this idea came about. A member of my community came to me and said, Guess what? I'm going to become a citizen, and I want you to swear me in. I want you to administer the oath. And I was touched.…”