24th Annual Naturalization Ceremony

July 4, 2008, 12:00 noon
Fisher Pavilion, Seattle Center, FREE
Press Release (word doc)

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.

Seven United States Servicemen, several of whom have served in Iraq, will be amongst the candidates sworn in as U.S. Citizens on July 4th.

The ceremony will include speeches by Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire, Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed, U.S. Representatives Jim McDermott and Dave Reichert with Seattle City Mayor Gregory J. Nickels as Master of Ceremonies. 

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, Native American Performer & Storyteller Gene Tagaban will present a sacred song and 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 2008 “Spirit of Liberty Award” to Ezra Teshome, of the Ethiopian Community.

24th 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 Bank of America, Seattle Center, Western Washington Toyota Dealers Association, University Lions Foundation, Rotary Club of the Seattle-International District, WITT Company, American Legion Seattle Post #1, National DAR - Rainier Chapter and supported by the City of Seattle Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, Seattle Foundation and 4Culture.  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.

17th Annual Cultural Crossroads
Date: November 3 -4, 2007
Location: Crossroads Bellevue, NE 8th Street and 156th Avenue N.E. in Bellevue

The multi-cultural celebration will feature a world of entertainment, focusing on ethnic music and dance.  Performances include: Bokreta Hungarian Dance Ensemble, Hungarian Folk Dance; Enzian Schuhplattler, Dances of German Bavaria; Filipiniana – Cultural Traditional of the Philippines; Joyas Mestizas, Folkloric Dances of Mexico; Ocheami – Traditional Ghanaian Dance & Music; Urvasi Dance Company - Odissi Classical Dance.  Saturday night Balkan Cabaret will perform Nostalgic Café Songs of the Balkans and Sunday afternoon Rouge & Noir Tango Orchestra will bring out the Tango in everyone along with a tango dance lesson.

The weekend event will feature more exciting activities for children this year, including an international and interactive LEGO® display - a showcase with models representing many cultures and nationalities all made of LEGO®, provided by TbP Group and “Folk Art For Kids” a children’s coloring activity!