Deadline to register for Reception for New Americans is Sept. 6

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The City of Bowling Green is hosting a reception that will recognize 140 people who have become naturalized United States Citizens within the past year.

The annual Reception for New Americans is set for Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Sloan Convention Center in Bowling Green. While the reception is not public, family and friends of each U.S. citizen are welcome to attend.

According to a release by the city, this is the eighth year of the reception, which is planned and organized by the International Communities Liaison Division in the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services.

The reception will feature recognition from mayor Todd Alcott and the city’s Board of Commissioners, the city says.

“This annual Reception for New Americans is our City’s recognition of the tremendous achievement that is to become a Citizen of the United States of America,” adds Leyda Becker, international communities liaison for the City of Bowling Green.

The reception will featured a brief program that will include:

• Presentation of the Colors by the Bowling Green Police Department Honor Guard
• National Anthem performed by Lexi Adkins, from Warren Central High School, under the direction of Mr. Cameron Clark.
• Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag by Ms. Manitra Arimalala, Naturalized U.S. Citizen originally from Madagascar.
• Featured Speaker, Mr. Kevin D. DeFebbo, City Manager, City of Bowling Green, Retired.
• Presentation of the “Naturalization Champion Award” by City of Bowling Green officials.

The city says it has worked to identify recently naturalized U.S Citizens through their International Communities Advisory Council members and its various community partners.

Warren County Skills U at Southcentral Community and Technical College and First Baptist Church’s International Ministry helped immigrants and refugees through English as second language classes and helped to process applications for naturalization, according to the release.

“The process of naturalization is not simple, the eligible applicant has to submit an application to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that has a costly fee, pass a citizenship exam, complete an interview process and pass a thorough background check,” says  Becker, who became a U.S. Citizen in 2011.

The reception offers newest citizens a way to connect with local government. In addition, a voter registration booth will be provided by the Warren County Clerk’s office, in an effort to ensure new U.S. Citizens are registered to vote for the upcoming November elections.

This event is also part of national movements to celebrate National Constitution Day, which recognizes the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution by 39 brave men on September 17, 1787, recognizing all who are born in the U.S.or by naturalization, have become citizens.

The deadline to register to be recognized at this event is Friday, Sept. 6.