What:	23rd Annual Naturalization Ceremony (Color photos available upon request.)
When:	July 4, 2007, 12:00 noon
Where:	Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center, FREE
Photos:	View 2007 Slideshow

On July 4, 2007, the Ethnic Heritage Council will host the 23rd Annual Naturalization Ceremony at Seattle Center, from 12noon to 1:00pm.  Over 500 people, from more than 70 countries, will be sworn in by U.S Circuit Court Judge Beezer, as new citizens of the United States of America.  Produced by the Ethnic Heritage Council, Seattle Center, and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, and proudly sponsored by Bank of America, this is by far one of the most meaningful and moving Fourth of July events in the region and arouses great interest among friends and families of the new citizens as well as within the general community.  While this is an especially important day for the many new citizens, coming from a variety of nations and cultures, it also serves to reaffirm the deeper meaning of being a citizen of the United States of America.  The public is encouraged to attend and admission is free.

The ceremony will include speeches by U.S. Representative Jim McDermott, and Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed, with Seattle City Mayor Gregory J. Nickels as Master of Ceremonies.  The Congratulatory speech will be delivered by Washington State Governor, 1997-2005, Gary Locke.

Navy Band Northwest performs festive selections beginning at 11:00am outside Fisher Pavilion.  The formal program will begin at 12:00 noon, and will last one hour.  The United States Army Color Guard will present the colors.  During the ceremony, a Native American Storyteller Gene Tagaban will present a sacred story and the Total Experience Gospel Choir, with director Pat Wright, will perform.  All countries represented will be announced and the eldest applicant for citizenship will be introduced.  The Children of the World will lead the new citizens in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance for their first time.

Each year, the Ethnic Heritage Council honors a naturalized citizen who has made outstanding contribution to his or her adopted country, the U.S.A., while maintaining his or her ethnic heritage.  Congressman Jim McDermott will present the 2007 “Spirit of Liberty Award” to Ramesh Gangolli, of the East Indian Community.

23rd Annual Naturalization Ceremony is produced by the Ethnic Heritage Council, a non-profit organization formed in 1980, Seattle Center and United States Department of Homeland Security, proudly sponsored by Seattle Center, Bank of America, Western Washington Toyota Dealers Association, University Lions Foundation, WITT COMPANY-Document Imaging Solutions, Rotary Club of the Seattle-International District, American Legion Seattle Post #1, AILA Washington Chapter, National DAR-Rainier Chapter, Ballard Blossom and supported by the City of Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, 4Culture, Washington State Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts.  Since its inception, the Council has worked to promote inter-ethnic communication and cultural preservation in the Northwest.  The Naturalization Ceremony is part of Seattle Center's Safeco Insurance Festál, a year-long series of world cultural events that honors the richness and diversity of our region.  Festál is presented by The Seattle Times.