Murkowski Touts Alaskan Diversity as American “Fabric of Society” Example
At Smithsonian Naturalization Ceremony, Senator Leads Newest Americans in Pledge
Senator Lisa Murkowski today gave an Alaskan welcome to immigrants from around the world becoming American citizens at a naturalization ceremony at the Smithsonian Institute’s Museum of American History.
(Murkowski applauds the new Americans – some waving American flags – after having spoken the Oath of Allegiance.)
Joined by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Murkowski told the newest Americans from Iraq, Australia, Sierra Leone and El Salvador that their diversity will contribute to a stronger America, and called upon all of them to recite the Pledge of Allegiance for the first time as American citizens, saying:
“On behalf of the people of the state of Alaska, whom I represent in the United States Senate, welcome – in so many different ways. Know that the place that I call home is one of the most ethnically rich and diverse parts of our country. Most people don’t know that, they think of Alaska as this cold, distant remote place. And it may be. But we also host the most ethnically diverse neighborhood in the United States of America in Anchorage, Alaska. We have the most ethnically diverse high school in Anchorage, where families who speak over a hundred different languages at home come together in the evening. We are a community that is made better when those who come to our country join with the Eskimo, the Aleut, people who have been there for ten thousands of years, when they come together in this amazing fabric of society that we call the United States of America. So welcome.
“I would now ask you to rise and join with me as we recite the Pledge of Allegiance, by placing our hands over our heart and turning to the flag and repeating.”
(Senator Murkowski talks directly to new Americans from the Smithsonian podium.)
