Pictured are the Honorable Marian Payson, left, and Robert H Jackson Center President, Kristan McMahon, right, with one of the 50 newest citizens, center during the Naturalization Ceremony on Oct 1. Submitted photo

The Robert H Jackson Center recently welcomed 50 people and their families to the center for their Naturalization Ceremony, where they officially became citizens of the United States.

The 50 people who were granted citizenship came from 27 different countries. Also in attendance and participating in the ceremony were representatives from the League of Women Voters, Daughters of the American Revolution, New Neighbors Coalition and the Chautauqua County Board of Elections. Judge Marian W. Payson from the Western District of New York presided.

Kristan McMahon, Jackson Center president, said the ceremony was an official court ceremony that involved opening remarks from her and representatives of the other organizations, and the 50 people having to renounce their former allegiances and then take an oath, with each being welcomed down individually to receive their certificate.

McMahon added that she believed this was the first time the Jackson Center has held a Naturalization Ceremony and that they wanted to do it in connection with their current exhibits.

“We did some deep thinking about what projects we could host while we have our Smithsonian exhibit and Recordings in Progress exhibits,” McMahon said. “We wanted to have these two exhibits in September and October to connect with Constitution Day and the November election, and that eventually led us to the ceremony.”

Another reason why the Jackson Center wanted to host this ceremony was because of civic participation being a cornerstone of Jackson’s life from a young age and McMahon said they felt the ceremony fit naturally with their mission to carry out his legacy still today.

Additionally, McMahon said having a Naturalization Ceremony is important because other people who have been American citizens their whole lives can sometimes take that citizenship for granted.

“I think for those of us born here with the privilege of being citizens, we don’t always fully recognize what we have because it has always been given to us,” McMahon said. “Seeing and talking with and hearing the stories of these people during the ceremony and how they’ve studied and worked to become citizens and why really drove home for me how fortunate we are and the opportunities and challenges we have in this country, along with the responsibility we have to play an active part in our democracy.”

The Jackson Center’s Smithsonian traveling exhibit, “Voices and Votes” and the “Recordings in Progress: Your Voting Story” exhibit will be at the Center until Oct 18. McMahon encouraged everyone to take the time to come visit each and share their own stories about democracy.