For Immediate Release:  June 19, 2017
 
Contact: Laurie Millman, Office: 413-587-0084; Cell: 413-531-2043; email:  laurie@cnam.org
 
Center for New Americans Organizes Ninth Annual July 4^th Citizenship Ceremony
 
On the morning of July 4^th Center for New Americans will welcome about 50 immigrants who will take their oath of allegiance to the United States, to the applause of families, friends, and community members.  The naturalization ceremony will take place on the grounds of the Hampshire County Courthouse at 11:00 A.M., weather permitting. (In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held in Courtroom #1.) 
 
U.S. Magistrate Katherine Robertson will preside, congratulating the new citizens who have worked hard to learn American history and civics to achieve their citizenship goal. Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz will welcome the new citizens, as well as many community members who will attend the event to bear witness.  Center for New Americans’ staff, board members, and volunteers will be present, especially since several of those who naturalize on July 4^th are Center for New Americans’ students and clients who have been supported through their journey to citizenship by Center for New Americans staff who helped them to fill out the N-400 application and matched them with volunteer tutors.
 
Well-known vocal artist, Evelyn Harris, will sing the National Anthem and other patriotic songs.  The Color Guard will be provided by Girl Scout troop 12926 from Greenfield. WTCC-FM, the radio station of Springfield Community College, will broadcast the ceremony live and provide music.  Light refreshments will be served before and after the ceremony. 
 
Thanks to Northampton’s League of Women Voters, the new citizens will have the opportunity to register to vote immediately after the ceremony. 
 
The event is free and open to the public.  Center for New Americans thanks the many local businesses that are helping to sponsor the event, including Bueno y Sano, River Valley Co-op, Health New England, Florence Bank, Architect Siegfried Porth, Greenfield Cooperative Bank, Borawski Insurance, Congressman McGovern, Congressman Neal, Senate President Stan Rosenberg, Representative Stephen Kulik.
 
About Center for New Americans:
 
Center for New Americans has been welcoming and serving immigrants in Western Massachusetts for 25 years.  Center for New Americans teaches English, computer, and literacy classes; supports students in preparing for living wage jobs; and offers citizenship and immigration legal services.  Center for New Americans has program sites in Amherst, Northampton, Greenfield, and Turners Falls.