Students get real-life
lesson on citizenship
By sue m. morgan
Staff Writer
PHOTOSBY JEFF GRANIT After taking the oath of American citizenship, Fook Lau, formerly of Hong Kong, pledges allegiance to the flag during a ceremony led by Congressman Rush Holt Friday morning at the Jonas Salk Middle School in Old Bridge.
America is not perfect by any means, but with the nation’s armed forces fighting to secure freedom for Iraqi citizens, it is important for Americans to appreciate the rights and privileges they often take for granted, U.S. Rep. Rush Holt (D-12) told a student-filled auditorium at Salk Middle School in Old Bridge Friday.
Much to the delight of Principal Kenneth Popovich, approximately 200 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders listened quietly as Holt, a science teacher and physicist by profession, gave a lesson on the values of American citizenship and swore in five new citizens with the students as witnesses.
"At a time when we have young men and women in uniform fighting at the risk of their own lives, it is an appropriate time to remember what we are all about," Holt said.
"It is easiest to remember what we are all about when we meet people who choose to be Americans," he said.
Kamy Chung (l), formerly of Hong Kong, and Marina Pushkareva and Lilly Altshuler, both formerly of Russia, take the oath of American citizenship before Congressman Rush Holt and Jonas Salk Middle School students.
Holt said he thought it was important for both children and adults to see the swearing in of the five new citizens, who normally would have gone through the process at an ordinary citizenship office.
"We thought it would be more meaningful if we had the citizenship ceremony here," he said.
"This is a most important civics lesson, one you’ll remember," Popovich told the students.
The immigrants on stage generally came in search of work or to join family members already here, Holt explained.
Kamy Chong, who lives in the Morganville section of Marlboro and is the married mother of two, came here from Hong Kong seeking a better job.
Susan Cook of Lawrenceville came to the United States 20 years ago from South Africa when her husband was transferred here by his employer, Johnson & Johnson, New Brunswick.
Fook Lau, a 64-year-old Kendall Park grandmother, emigrated from Hong Kong to join her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.
Two Princeton residents, Lilly Altshuler and Marina Pushkareva, both came from Russia. Altshuler came with other family members and Pushkareva came for employment.
Robert Genesoni, the district adjudication officer for the Newark office of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, administered the oath as Holt stood by.
Once they renounced their allegiance to their native lands, the five new citizens pledged to support and defend the Constitution and laws of the U.S. from "all enemies, foreign and domestic."
Following Genesoni’s lead, they also promised to bear arms on behalf of the United States, "as required by law," to work under civilian observation, serve their communities, and fulfill jury duty when called upon.
"You are now citizens of the world’s greatest nation, the United States of America," Genesoni finally proclaimed, resulting in overwhelming applause.
Assistant Superintendent of Schools Gail Verona, board member Linda Ault McLaren, social studies supervisor Jean Spears, and Ward 6 Councilwoman Lucille Panos joined the children and teachers in congratulating the new citizens.
To the obvious delight of each new citizen, Student Council President Jamie Mapou and four other student leaders presented each with a small American flag and an American flag key chain as gifts from the student body.
Eighth-grader Anthony Cimaglia played "The Star-Spangled Banner" on trumpet as all in attendance paid respect to an American flag on stage. Although a serious moment, the new citizens could not keep from smiling.
Holt’s teaching style proved to be thoroughly engaging as more students than he could get to eagerly raised their hands to ask questions of the new citizens. Most inquired as to how each had adjusted to life in a new country.
Cook recalled a Thursday in late November 1982, when she and her husband, who were then staying at a Route 1 hotel, could not find a restaurant open for business and wondered why. They had only arrived in the country weeks before. After finally locating a diner that was open for business, Cook and her husband entered. Upon questioning a waitress as to why no other restaurants were open that day, they learned that it was Thanksgiving Day.
Cook and her husband ordered the diner’s Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, stuffing and potatoes, and began a new tradition.
"Now I enjoy having Thanksgiving every year," Cook said.
Reciting a line from "America the Beautiful," Holt reminded those present that this country is a work in progress dependent upon all citizens to make it better.
" ‘God mend thy every flaw,’ " Holt quoted. "It’s an acknowledgment that America has flaws. It’s an acknowledgment that we have things to learn from following the footsteps of the patriots of the past."
Nonetheless, people come here, if for no other reason than to be allowed to choose their own leaders, Holt said.
"There are few things in life more precious than the ability to take part in our [voting] process," Holt said.
"I think the greatest invention of humans is our system of government," he continued. "It’s based on self-correction. We get better and better at it as we work at it."
Schoolchildren can influence their parents by talking to them about the importance of voting in both political and school elections, Holt told the students.
"You’ll be surprised. They’ll listen to you," Holt urged. "Adults will listen to you."