Naturalization Ceremony

Laura Simon

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Seventeen petitioners became citizens of the United States of America Tuesday, May 1, 2012 during the naturalization ceremony at the Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau.

The crowd covers their hearts as the recite the Pledge of Allegiance Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. Seventeen petitioners became citizens of the United States of America during Tuesday's naturalization ceremony. (Laura Simon)
Federal District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. welcomes the crowd and petitioners for U.S. citizenship Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. Seventeen petitioners became citizens of the United States of America during Tuesday's naturalization ceremony. (Laura Simon)
Naturalization Examiner Abbie Crites-Leoni listens as Canada-born Herbert Clark Anderson introduces himself to the crowd Tuesday, May 1, 2012 during the naturalization ceremony inside the Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. Anderson was one of 17 petitioners for U.S. citizenship. (Laura Simon)
Federal District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr., Rep. Jo Ann Emerson and Assistant U.S. Attorney and Nationalization Examiner Abbie Crites-Leoni congratulate Amila Panchala Ramanayake on his U.S. citizenship Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. Seventeen petitioners became citizens of the United States of America during Tuesday's naturalization ceremony. (Laura Simon)

Federal District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr. welcomes guest speaker Rep. Jo Ann Emerson Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. Seventeen petitioners became citizens of the United States of America during Tuesday's naturalization ceremony. (Laura Simon)
Federal District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, Jr., Assistant U.S. Attorney and Naturalization Examiner Abbie Crites-Leoni listen as Somalia-born Mohamud Muhina Osman introduces himself to the crowd Tuesday, May 1, 2012 during the naturalization ceremony inside the Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. Osman was one of 17 petitioners for U.S. citizenship. (Laura Simon)
Trudy Lee sings the National Anthem Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. Seventeen petitioners became citizens of the United States of America during Tuesday's naturalization ceremony. (Laura Simon)
Sri Lanka-born Amila Panchala Ramanayake introduces himself to the crowd Tuesday, May 1, 2012 during the naturalization ceremony inside the Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. Ramanayake was one of 17 petitioners for U.S. citizenship. (Laura Simon)
Seventeen petitioners became citizens of the United States of America during the naturalization ceremony Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. (Laura Simon)

Rep. Jo Ann Emerson speaks to the crowd and petitioners for U.S. citizenship Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. Seventeen petitioners became citizens of the United States of America during Tuesday's naturalization ceremony. (Laura Simon)
The Oath of Allegiance and an American flag sit next to a petitioner Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. Seventeen petitioners became citizens of the United States of America during Tuesday's naturalization ceremony. (Laura Simon)
The Lewis K. Juden Post No. 63 of the American Legion head through the crowd during the posting of the colors Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at the Rush Hudson Limbaugh, Sr. U.S. Courthouse in Cape Girardeau. Seventeen petitioners became citizens of the United States of America during Tuesday's naturalization ceremony. (Laura Simon)