By Margaret Dayton
Utah State Senator

This week we acknowledged Christopher Columbus arriving in America.  It was my opportunity to enjoy a very American experience on this important day.   My husband I (and extended family members) joined our son in witnessing his Chinese wife becoming a citizen of the United States of America.

Wang Guilian lined up with 166 other candidates for citizenship.  They represented 57 different nationalities.  Some of them willingly stood before a packed theater and briefly told their feelings of wanting to become a citizen of the United States of America.  Their comments were tender and meaningful.  It would be interesting to know the story of each of those new citizens.  Though I don’t know the particulars, because of my daughter-in-law I do know some facts about each of them.  I know that they all had to apply for and have a green card for a few years as they traveled the path to citizenship.  I know they each learned the language of our land which unites us and melts away so many barriers. And I know that each of them had to take an oral and written citizenship test.  My daughter-in-law studied hard for her test.  There were 100 questions she needed to be able to answer correctly.  The night before her citizenship test, she reviewed the American history and United States govt questions one last time – and the only mistake she made was confusing John Roberts and John Boehner (and after listening to some of the man-on-the-street interviews that Hannity and late night TV hosts conduct, I am guessing that many young people in this country get confused on which is the Speaker of the House and which is the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court).  We all rejoiced when we learned that Wang Guilian got 100% on her test!

When the 167 candidates for citizenship stood and raised their right arm and repeated the Oath of Citizenship, each pledged support of the Constitution of the United States and committed their allegiance to our nation.  Judge David Sam presided and reminded each new citizen that freedom is not free ~ urging all of them to let freedom ring in their lives and to achieve their highest potential.

Wang Guilian not only changed her citizenship, she officially changed her name to Jessica Wang Dayton.  She was one who stood to share her story – and talked about the opportunity for freedom of religion that is available in her new country, but not in China.  A new citizen from Tonga stood and told how he had served in the U.S. Army – and how grateful he was to now be a real American.  A woman from Somalia talked about the joy she has found in opportunities for learning here.

I left that impressive ceremony touched by the stories of the new citizens, moved by the patriotic music, and grateful to Christopher Columbus for his discovery – - – and to all who followed him here to make contributions to a new nation.  We are all blessed by those who have gone before and left a meaningful legacy of freedom.  In a short welcome video at the end of today’s ceremony, President Obama urged each new citizen to be part of the next chapter of Americas history.  What a great challenge and opportunity for us all.