50 New U.S. Citizens Sworn in at Middletown City Hall

City hall council chambers was standing room only Wednesday as friends and family of 50 individuals from a 31 countries across the globe were sworn in as U.S. citizens.
 
Middletown's annual naturalization ceremony was presided over by Judge Stefan R. Underhill, U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut, who was joined by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, James F. Spallone, Deputy Secretary of the State; Mayor Daniel Drew, and Theodore V. Raczka, president of the Middlesex County Bar Association.

Countless others overflowed into the lobby to watch remarks and the patriotic oath of allegiance to the United States taken by people from Guatemala, France, Haiti, Ecuador, Poland, Vietnam, Germany, England, Syria and dozens of others.

"Today, 50 of you are here today because the heart of the power of our states. Because you can vote, you decide where the country is going, who's going to lead it, where this town is going," Underhill told those gathered who stood by solemly. 

He urged friends and family to take photographs and videos to commemorate the momentous occasion which coincides with the Fourth of July holiday that celebrates America's independence — "so it will forever be part of your memories for years to come," Underhill said.

"You took a test most of us could not pass," he added, to laughter from the audience, referring to the difficult 10-question Civics and reading, writing, and speaking English exams necessary to qualify for naturalization.

See here for the study guide question and answers to see if you could pass the test!

"You are a living statement that our country's best days are ahead and I thank you," said Blumenthal, whose own grandfather became an American citizen at age 17 in 1935.

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Philip P. Cacciola, Commander of the American Legion Milardo-Wilcox Post 75, Middletown. 

The Star-Spangled Banner was sung by the Middletown High School Choir: Alex Long, Drew Cietek, Ryan Debedin, Ben Henderson, Andrew Gilliland, Arianna Biales, Carolyn Reid, Cameron Steadman, Gillian Oyola and Julianna Harris.

Outside, Republican Registrar of Voters Janice Gionfriddo and volunteers helped these newly naturalized Americans of all ages register to vote.

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