Members of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution – Compatriots Former Ohio Governor Bob Taft, with Jerry Knight and Jack Bredenfoerder welcomed 30 new citizens from 22 countries at a naturalization ceremony held at the William Howard Taft Home in Mt. Auburn.

Compatriots Jerry Butler (l) and Jack Bredenfoerder (r) are there to welcome these new US Citizens

Compatriot Taft addressed the new citizens and stressed the importance of our Constitution which establishes the three separate and independent branches of the federal government. He reminded the assembly that his great grandfather William Howard Taft was not only President of the United States but also Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.

Former Ohio Governor Bob Taft welcome these new US Citizens to the USA

As Chief Justice William Howard Taft was the key person in the building of the Supreme Court Building in Washington DC. He believed that if the Supreme Court was to be a truly independent branch of the federal government, it needed it’s own separate building.

Newly minted citizens of the United States take the oath of allegiance.

Compatriot Taft also stressed that we are a nation built on the diversity of immigrants and talked about how his family immigrated to the United States. He also made the point that it is important for this process to continue.

The presiding judge was the Honorable Karen Litkovitz who also shared the immigration story of her grandparents from Italy.

Honorable Judge Karen Litkovitz presided over the ceremony

Also bringing greetings to the event were Ohio Senators Bernie Moreno and Jon Hustead. Senator Moreno’s welcoming message highlighted the fact that his parents were immigrants from Colombia.

It was a very festive and welcoming ceremony.

Welcome citizens!