POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Clerk Bradford H. Kendall hosted a Naturalization Ceremony and administer the Oath of Allegiance to approximately one hundred-fifty new citizens. The event was held on Friday, February 2, at the Family Partnership Center in the City of Poughkeepsie. The Honorable Edward McLoughlin, New York State Acting Supreme Court Justice and Dutchess County Court Judge, will preside over the ceremony. Acclaimed singer/songwriter Evan Watson as seen on The Voice, and music featured on television – Homeland, Unnecessary Roughness, and Army Wives provided musical accompaniment.
Dutchess County Legislature Chairman A. Gregg Pulver delivered the keynote address. Having served two-terms in the Legislature, Chairman Pulver is a relatively new member to the Legislative body and brings a fresh perspective to its leadership. At one time, Dutchess County’s Legislature was comprised entirely of farmers. As the Legislature’s only farmer, Chairman Pulver follows the footsteps of Dutchess County’s storied history. He previously served as Supervisor of the Town of Pine Plains. Additionally, his experience includes: serving on the Pine Plains Central School’s Board of Education, member of Sharon Hospital’s Board of Trustees, lifetime member of the Pine Plains Fire Department and Director of the Pine Plains Lions Club.
Pulver traced his family’s journey to America, which began when his ancestors fled war and religious persecution in Germany. In 1710, they settled in Dutchess County and the Pulver family has farmed in the county ever since. He told the new Americans that he hoped that “you all remember the day you first arrived in his country and that your families never forget the sacrifices you have endured to bring them to this wonderful land.”
Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is conferred upon a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processes all naturalization applications and provides the clerk’s office with a list of the candidates selected to be naturalized. All petitioners must then participate in a Naturalization Ceremony and swear to the Oath of Allegiance in a formal court proceeding. At that time, they can change their names legally to have their new names appear on the Certificate of Naturalization.