July and August Naturalization Ceremonies
Volunteers from LWVBN greeted 140 new citizens at three naturalization ceremonies in July and August and successfully registered 127 new voters. We were able to actively engage with voters, answer questions and make sure the voter registration forms were accurate and complete. Working with our partners from the Erie County Board of Elections we greeted new citizens who were excited to register to vote and looking forward to voting for the first time. We greeted a member of the Marines and a member of the Coast Guard who were already serving their country.
Citizens were welcomed to our country from 39 countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Canada, China, Congo, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Eritrea, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, India, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Lebanon, Liberia, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Russia, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom and Vietnam.
Thanks to our volunteers for June through August: Barbara Weitzner Lin, Suzanne Thomas, Angela
Kelschenback, Kim Nyugen, Mary Lou Enser, Linda Montgomery, Deborah Shiffner and Eileen Cassidy.
Thanks to our partners at the Board of Elections for working with us to make these events so successful.
Deborah Shiffner, Volunteer Coordinator, Naturalization Ceremonies
Special Naturalization Ceremony at Iroquois Central High School
Mary Lou Enser and Linda Montgomery attended the naturalization ceremony at Iroquois Central High School on August 16. With our partners from the Board of Elections we registered 24 of 27 new citizens. The Board of Elections, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Erie County Commissioner of Jurors were present.
Mrs. Colleen McCoy and students in her BOCES Summer Government and Civics class arranged for the
ceremony. Principal Patrick O’Brian also attended. A table, complete with a glittery “League of Women Voters” sign made by the students, was provided for us. Our table runner made it welcoming for people to come over to get help. The students also created flags of the new citizens’ original 17 countries, which were hanging in the cafeteria.
The ceremony in the auditorium started with a color guard provided by the Boy Scouts. The Hon. Jeremiah McCarthy presided. We were seated on the stage with the other guests and each of us gave a presentation to the new citizens. The new citizens then came up one by one to receive their certificates. Afterwards the class had arranged for snacks and beverages in the cafeteria: pizza, chips, brownies, cookies, donuts, and pie along with coffee and water. A student provided music by playing guitar. What a wonderful event. It was an honor to be present and participate.
Mary Louise Enser