Published: June 30, 2008 11:46 am      

New citizens to be sworn in July 4

City leaders recently urged residents to mow their lawns and tidy up in anticipation of about 500 guests who are scheduled to descend on Keene July 4. The occasion is a naturalization ceremony to be held at Southwestern Adventist University’s Callicott Park, when about 150 new U.S. citizens will be sworn in.

“It’s the first time one of these ceremonies has been held in Johnson County,” said Keene resident Yddo Ortiz. “We will have people from 26 countries represented. Five are members in the armed forces who are becoming citizens, and five live in Johnson County, four in Keene.”

Ortiz orchestrated the idea with a lot of help from town leaders and residents. He is a naturalized citizen who was born in Colombia, South America, and decided to become an American after attending college at SWAU.

“Ronald Reagan inspired me to become the very best I can be as a citizen,” Ortiz said. “When I heard Kennedy say, ‘Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country,’ I took it as he was talking to me and meaning ask what I can do for Keene.

“Both inspired me to do something for my little spot of Texas. I can’t do for the whole country, but I can do it here. Bottom line, it’s my way of expressing gratitude for the privilege and opportunity of being part of the American dream.”

Ortiz said he went to the Dallas location of the Department of Homeland Security Services U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office to see if a naturalization ceremony could possibly be held in Keene.

“They said I should ask [Mayor Roy Robinson] to write a letter requesting to host a ceremony, which he did, asking to hold it on the Fourth of July,” Ortiz said.

Representatives from the Dallas office visited Keene and liked the idea but said Robinson would need to write another letter to the Washington D.C. office, Ortiz said.

“Robinson wrote the letter and got approval, and we went to work on the program coordinating with the Dallas office,” Ortiz said.

City, SWAU and Keene Chamber of Commerce officials joined with Terry’s Texas Rangers, the Johnson County Civil Air Patrol and numerous Keene residents joined in to plan the event, Ortiz said.

“It’s a tremendous opportunity for us to showcase our community,” Keene Councilman James Coleman said. “I know a lot of people put a lot of effort into this. From talking to some immigration people I know, I’m thinking this is probably also a pretty unique situation. Most of these ceremonies take place in convention halls and courthouses.”

Rep. Rob Orr, R-Burleson, said he is looking forward to the ceremony.

“I’m honored to be asked to be a part of this day, which is going to be historic for the new citizens, Keene and Johnson County,” Orr said. “And it’s fitting that this will all happen on July 4 as we come together to celebrate our nation’s independence.”

The ceremony takes place at 10:30 a.m. in Callicott Park on Old Betsy Road across the street from SWAU.

Speakers include Randal E. Nash, branch chief of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Chris Carpenter, adjudications officer and Lisa Kehl, district director of the same office. Kehl will lead candidates in the Oath of Allegiance. Other speakers include Robinson, Orr and Johnson County Sheriff Bob Alford. Member of the U.S. armed forces will present colors, and the Brazos Chamber Orchestra will provide patriotic music.