DOINews: NPS: Twenty-Three Sworn In as New U.S. Citizens at Cesar E. Chavez National Monument

	NPS Superintendent Ruben Andrade (second from right) and Paul Chávez (center) join new citizens at César E. Chávez National Monument for a group photo on March 31, 2014. Photo by NPS.

On a sunny spring day in Keene, Calif., 23 people were sworn in as new citizens of the United States at the César E. Chávez National Monument. This naturalization ceremony was held on March 31, the birthday of the legendary civil rights leader at the visitor center of this National Park Service site.

National Park Superintendent Ruben Andrade, the son of a farm worker, welcomed the visitors to the historic site and Paul Chávez, son of César E. Chávez, spoke about his father's hard work to ensure all people are treated with dignity and respect.

César E. Chávez National Monument became part of the National Park System in October 2012.The site includes a visitor center that features multimedia presentations and exhibits, and a memorial garden in which César E. Chávez, founder of the United Farm Workers of America, is buried.

The National Park Service and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service maintain a formal partnership to enhance citizenship ceremonies by holding them in national parks throughout the country. The agreement helps introduce new citizens to some of the nation's most significant natural resources and cultural heritage sites. These historic and picturesque sites provide an ideal backdrop for citizenship ceremonies, where new citizens can learn about and reflect on American identity and the responsibilities of citizenship.

By: Celinda Peña, NPS

April 4, 2014