National Park Service and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to Welcome New Citizens at Naturalization Ceremony

Date: September 1, 2016
Contact: Sharon Rummery, Public Affairs Officer, [phone]
Contact: Eva Dodd, Special Park Use Manager, [phone]

 The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), in partnership with Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (NHS), will welcome new United States citizens at a naturalization ceremony taking place at the Historic Hangar at Pearson Air Museum on September 7, 2016, at 11 am.

In a 1915 speech at a naturalization swearing in ceremony, President Woodrow Wilson said of immigration to the United States, "...by the gift of the free will of independent people, it is being constantly renewed from generation to generation by the same process by which it was originally created." The following year, Wilson signed the Organic Act, creating that National Park Service (NPS). In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service this year, the NPS has partnered with the USCIS to hold 100 naturalization ceremonies throughout national park sites. Fort Vancouver NHS is honored to be among the selected parks.

At the ceremony, twenty-five new citizens will be sworn in by Shelly Langlais, Acting Field Office Director with the USCIS. Tracy Fortmann, Fort Vancouver NHS Superintendent, will welcome the candidates for citizenship and their families to this national park, which has a rich, multicultural history. The keynote speaker for the event will be Dr. Bob Cromwell, Acting Chief Ranger and Manager of Pearson Air Museum. Dr. Cromwell will speak of the long tradition of immigration to this area and his meaningful personal ties to multiculturalism. The Vancouver Community Concert Band will provide patriotic music, including the national anthem.

The USCIS invites new citizens, their families, and friends to share their experiences from the ceremonies nationwide via social media with the hashtag #newUScitizen

What: Naturalization Ceremony

Where: Historic Hangar at Pearson Air Museum, part of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Located at 1115 E 5th Street, Vancouver, WA 98661

When: Wednesday, September 7, 2016, at 11 am