Sabini Hails New Citizens

State Senator John Sabini (rear, c.) presented facsimile copies of the original United States Constitution and American flags to 50 senior citizens at the Elmhurst-Jackson Heights Senior Center. The seniors, after many years in this country, recently became newly naturalized Americans. In light of Citizenship Day and Constitution Week 2007, State Senator John D. Sabini (D/I-Elmhurst) honored a group of 50 newly naturalized United States citizens at the Elmhurst-Jackson Heights Senior Center at 75-01 Broadway last Thursday. The new Americans, all senior citizens, come from countries all over the world, most of which are in Latin America and Asia. The seniors received U.S. flags and facsimiles of the original version of the U.S. Constitution as it was ratified in 1787 from the senator, who welcomed them to a new life as American citizens.

"We all know of young people coming to the United States and looking to become citizens, but here is a group of dedicated and longtime new Americans who say it's never too late to codify their commitment to this country by embracing the benefits and responsibilities of citizenship," Sabini said. "On the occasion of Citizenship Day and Constitution Week, I'm proud to honor these patriotic men and women."

Citizenship Day, celebrated on September 17 since 1952, commemorates the day in 1787 that the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia ratified the U.S. Constitution. Constitution Week, declared in 1956 to expand awareness of the document that serves as the foundation of the country's laws and government, is celebrated annually during the week of September 17 to 23.