Mount Rushmore to host Naturalization Ceremony

60 new United States citizens were sworn in at the 2007 Naturalization Ceremony at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: August 11, 2008

Contact: Amy Bracewell, 605-574-3114

Under the watchful eye of four of our country’s founding fathers, approximately 30 people from more than 20 different countries will be sworn in as new citizens of the United States at a Naturalization Ceremony at Mount Rushmore National Memorial on Thursday, August 21, 2008. The ceremony will begin at 2:00 p.m. on the Grand View Terrace under the direction of the United States District Court of South Dakota.

Dignitaries from the United States district courts, the Department of Homeland Security and the South Dakota Army National Guard will take part in the ceremony and administer of the oath of allegiance and proclamations of citizenship. Representatives from U.S. Senator Tim Johnson’s office, U.S. Senator John Thune’s office and U.S. Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin’s office will be present at the ceremony.

Hani F. Shafai, the president and owner of Dream Design International, Inc., in Rapid City, will give the keynote address. The Daughters of the American Revolution, Elks Lodge Number 1187, and the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society will make special presentations to the new citizens. During the ceremony the barbershop quartet, Risky Business, will perform the National Anthem and other patriotic songs.
Following the ceremony the Pennington County auditor will be available for voter registration in Carvers’ Café. Registration will be open to all eligible South Dakota voters, not just those from Pennington County.

The general public is invited to attend the ceremony to welcome the newest citizens of the United States. The ceremony is free. There is a $10 per car annual parking fee.

For further information, please contact Rhonda Schier at the National Park Service at 605-574-3134.