The Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center in Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve hosted a naturalization ceremony for new citizens of the United States on Monday, September 18th. The 75 new citizens hailed from over 28 different countries. Staff from the park and from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) partnered for a successful event, despite a downpour of over two inches of rain in the hours preceding the event.
Keynote speaker for the ceremony was M. Stella Jarina, USCIS district director. Lady Helen Hardy, Bayou Lafourche Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, and Karl Hakala, Acadian unit park manager, also spoke. The Thibodaux High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps color guard presented the colors and the national anthem was sung by Jennifer Kuylen, district adjudications officer for the USCIS, New Orleans District. The new citizens were introduced by country of origin and sworn in as U.S. citizens. The event ended in a video message by President George W. Bush.
