Court Celebrates 222nd Anniversary of U.S. Constitution

On September 17, 2009, at 9:00 a.m., the District Court of Guam will proudly host a special Constitution Day Naturalization Ceremony.  Constitution Day commemorates the historic day that the Founding Fathers signed this historic document, which guaranteed the many freedoms to citizens of the United States.  On the 222nd anniversary of this historic event, the District Court of Guam will welcome 30 new citizens to the United States of America, as they take their oath of citizenship.

 The keynote speaker during the ceremony will be Guam Bar President Cynthia V. Ecube, whose parents immigrated from the Philippines, and later became naturalized citizens.

 This year’s celebration of Constitution Day at the District Court will also allow the newly naturalized citizens to fully exercise their rights, as the court will host its second Citizenship Outreach Program for these citizens.  Immediately after the naturalization ceremony, these new citizens will be able to register to vote and apply for a U.S. passport, provided they have appropriate supporting documentation for the application.  Representatives from the Guam Election Commission and the Guam Passport Office will be present after the ceremony to assist these new citizens with any questions.  Forms and information brochures from the Social Security Administration will also be available.

 Conducting the naturalization ceremony on Constitution Day should give a special significance to an already important event.  “Because of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution, ‘We the People’ of the United States have privileges to speak without fear, to practice our religion openly, and to be free from cruel and unusual punishment,” said Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood.  “Our citizenship, however, also includes responsibilities to our community, such as serving as jurors and voting in elections.”  Through the Citizenship Outreach Program, these newly naturalized citizens can register to vote with the assistance of representatives of the Guam Election Commission.