POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Clerk Brad Kendall administered the Oath of Allegiance to 100 people representing 41 different countries at the Family Partnership Center in Poughkeepsie. By reciting the 141 words of the oath, they renounced their citizenship in their previous country and swore to uphold the Constitution of the United States.
Dutchess County Surrogate Court and Acting Justice of the Supreme Court, Michael Hayes, presided over the ceremony. “Presiding over a naturalization ceremony is one of the great joys of serving on the bench,” the judge told Mid-Hudson News. “Today was a vivid reminder of how lucky I am to be born a citizen of this great nation. I feel blessed to have played some small role in helping our newest citizens achieve their dream.”
Friday’s naturalization ceremony was the first that Kendall was able to perform with a full audience after being limited to private ceremonies due to the pandemic. “It is always an honor to administer the oath of allegiance to our newest citizens,” Kendall said. “It was especially nice to see the families, friends, and children after nearly two years of restricted ceremonies.”
Dutchess County Legislator Ben Geller (R-Hyde Park) was in attendance and called it “Incredible,” saying it was “Hands down one of the most amazing experiences during my tenure in the legislature.”
The 41 countries that were represented by the new United States citizens:
Argentina Jamaica
Bahamas Jordan
Bangladesh Kenya
Barbados Kosovo
Brazil Latvia
Canada Mexico
China Nepal
Colombia Nigeria
Dominican Republic Pakistan
Ecuador Philippines
Egypt Poland
El Salvador Portugal
France Romania
Ghana Saudi Arabia
Guatemala Slovak Republic
Haiti Spain
Honduras Taiwan
India Turnisa
Israel United Kingdom
Italy Yugoslavia