Allow me to tell how I became a citizen of the United States.
I entered this country from Canada by car on September 1, 1962, at a small border crossing in Washington state. I showed that I had obtained a grad school scholarship from the University of Washington in Seattle. I had the required documents to show that I could support my family. In other words, I was a documented immigrant.
If I had tried to enter some other way I would have been what the Bible describes as "a thief and a robber" (John 10v1.) If I had been undocumented, I would have been a law breaker.
On March 30, 1971, at the height of the cold war I became a United States citizen in the U.S. district court at Chicago. The proceedings were overseen by the clerk of the federal district much the same as Judge Arthur Johnston does here in Jackson today. After the swearing-in ceremony all of the new citizens were invited to a reception. The judge and other dignitaries said how honored and privileged they were; what a favor it was to be able to participate in this ceremony.
Several new citizens had escaped from Soviet controlled countries such as Hungary and Czechoslovakia. They had tales of how they had been subjected to domination by occupying forces. Although I had a Nazi bomb land 75 yards from my house in WWII, I did not have such tales as these other people. Finally, I got up and said that I had not suffered under a repressive government, I didn't have a dramatic escape to recount, but I really did appreciate the true welcome that had been extended to us. We were the ones who were honored, privileged and favored. That is how I felt then, and that is what I believe today.
This nation was built on Biblical principles. To say otherwise is to deny history. On the very day of the nation's birth, Samuel Adams told Congress: "We have this day restored the Sovereign, to whom alone men ought to be obedient. He reigns in heaven and... from the rising to the setting sun, may His kingdom come."
Our nation's moto is: In God we trust. We are one nation under God. We should be proud of our Christian heritage. I am thankful to be an American.
Peter Gilderson, Madison.
