Observer-Dispatch
Published: February 10, 2007

52 Sworn in at naturalization ceremony
By Jessica Ryen Doyle

UTICA – Anat Glick attempted three times to become an American citizen.

Friday's naturalization ceremony proved three times truly is the charm.

"Finally!" said her mother-in-law Judy Bassin, with a wide smile.

Glick, 40, of Clinton, was one of 52 candidates who took an oath Friday morning at The Oneida County Building, promising to uphold their civic duties as American citizens.

Although the majority cam from Bosnia, the new citizens also came from countries such as Turkey, Ukraine, India and Thailand.

The naturalization ceremony, which takes place four times a year in Oneida County, was a first for newly elected county Clerk Sandy DePerno, who led the ceremony.

"It was very emotional," she said afterward. "I saw a few candidates cry. They've worked very hard for this. The freedoms we take for granted – they are fighting to obtain them."

Indeed, the process to become a citizen can be challenging, Glick said. For her, the process consisted of interviews, many forms to fill out, an exam – and $500 in fees.

Still, the process was worth it, Glick said.

"My son has an American mom," said Glick, who teaches Hebrew at Colgate University and Hamilton College. "I want to be able to influence my country by voting. I care about my country."

After swearing in the candidates, New York State Supreme Court Judge Norman I. Siegel told them voting and jury duty were obligations they should uphold as citizens, as well as performing charitable acts.

"This is the highlight of my year," Siegel said. "I stand before you as an example of what this country has to offer."

Siegel told the story of how his four grandparents came to America from Europe to escape religious persecution.

They came with little knowledge of the English language, he said.

"And in just two generations, my family went from poor, undereducated immigrants to a New York State Supreme Court judge," he said. "I say this story not boastfully, but rather to represent what this country has to offer."

At a reception hosted by the Oneida Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution and the Utica/Rome Metro Area League of Women Voters, Irudaya Rajan expressed her excitement.

"I came here on a visit in 1999," said Rajan, 73 of New Hartford. "I went back (to India), but liked it so much I came back (to America)."

Now that she is a citizen of the United States, Rajan said she had two objectives in mind: Eating lunch with family at Ancora!, and after that, traveling around her country.