ADOPTED BABY JOINS OTHER NEW AMERICANS.Byline: Yvette Cabrera Daily News Staff Writer Rachel Floyd is too young to say the Pledge of Allegiance Pledge of Allegiance, in full, Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, oath that proclaims loyalty to the United States. and its national symbol. , but as the 17-month-old became a U.S. citizen Thursday with thousands of others, she furiously waved a tiny American flag, as if she knew it marked the end of her long journey here. Rachel was born in China, but her destiny seemed inextricably in·ex·tri·ca·ble adj. 1. a. So intricate or entangled as to make escape impossible: an inextricable maze; an inextricable web of deceit. b. tied to America. Daniel and Jeri Floyd adopted her on Election Day last November, in time to formally become a U.S. citizen one day before Independence Day. ``For me, it was important to bring her here to face that national pride and give her that special gift,'' said Rachel's mother, Jeri Okamoto Floyd, a Japanese-American. ``My heart was pounding, and I thought, she doesn't really know what's going on Verb 1. know what's going on - be well-informed be on the ball, be with it, know the score, know what's what know - know how to do or perform something; "She knows how to knit"; "Does your husband know how to cook?" , but someday I will tell her what it was like.'' Dressed in a navy blue dress with white trim and sporting red socks, Rachel was the youngest of 7,500 Southland residents at the two naturalization naturalization, official act by which a person is made a national of a country other than his or her native one. In some countries naturalized persons do not necessarily become citizens but may merely acquire a new nationality. ceremonies held at the Los Angeles Convention Center The Los Angeles Convention Center (abbreviated LACC) is a convention center in downtown Los Angeles. The LACC hosts annual events such as the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, and was best known to video games fans as host to E3 until its cessation in 2006. . The Floyds of West Los Angeles
``Given it's the Fourth of July Fourth of July, Independence Day, or July Fourth, U.S. holiday, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Celebration of it began during the American Revolution. , we thought it would be nice to come to this ceremony,'' said Daniel Floyd, who grew up in Thousands Oaks. ``We thought, if she can survive the ceremony, it would give closure to the whole process.'' Most legal residents must be 18 to receive certificates of naturalization, according to Jane Arellano, assistant district director of adjudication for the Immigration and Naturalization Service Noun 1. Immigration and Naturalization Service - an agency in the Department of Justice that enforces laws and regulations for the admission of foreign-born persons to the United States INS . To commemorate the Fourth of July, the INS INS abbr. 1. Immigration and Naturalization Service 2. International News Service Noun 1. INS gave the thousands of new citizens a special treat - an appearance by actor Edward James Olmos Edward James Olmos (born February 24, 1947) is an Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated American actor and director. Some of his most memorable roles were Lt. Martin Castillo in Miami Vice, Jaime Escalante in Stand and Deliver and Admiral William Adama in the . Recalling when his own father became a citizen in 1955, Olmos encouraged the new citizens to be active members of their community. ``I must tell you, we are at the most opportune time coming into the 21st century,'' Olmos said. ``You are the future.'' Noting the diverse background of the inductees - Mexico, Vietnam, El Salvador, Iran and Armenia were the top five countries represented - Olmos also implored the group to remember their roots. ``Don't ever forget who and what you are, don't ever forget to pass that on to your children and your children's children,'' Olmos said. Among Thursday's new citizens were Adela Buan, a 79-year-old native of the Philippines who said she loves America as a second home, and Antonio Aldaz of Canoga Park who hopes his citizenship will open doors for his five sons who still reside in his native Mexico. And they include Ana de la Tejera of Riverside, whose citizenship means she could finally get rid of her green card. De la Tejera, now a citizen 18 years after applying, expressed her joy in notes she jotted down during the ceremony. ``As I sit here I look at my card that I guarded so much for so long. I will never see it again,'' wrote de la Tejera. ``I feel like a load has been lifted from my shoulders. After 43 years I will finally be secure. . . . I will never forget my Fourth of July ceremony.'' CAPTION(S): Photo, box PHOTO (1) Thousands of immigrants are sworn in as new citizens at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Thursday. (2) Actor Edward James Olmos addresses new Americans in a ceremony the day before Independence Day. Tom Mendoza/Daily News Box: Citizenship Fair |
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