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Dick Carelli, 202-502-2600
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September 14, 2009 —The U.S. Constitution turns 222 years old on September 17, 2009, and the nation’s federal courts are using the occasion to remind high school students and others of the importance of naturalization ceremonies for new Americans and of jury service, a responsibility of all citizens.

The federal judiciary’s web site features a new multi-media presentation on naturalization ceremonies, conducted regularly by federal judges nationwide, that celebrate the American mosaic held together by the Constitution. Federal judges swear in hundreds of thousands of new citizens every year.

These ceremonies are open to the public, and often are attended by hundreds or even thousands of people. The events, conducted in federal courthouses, civic sites, or landmarks, present a variety of educational outreach opportunities for promoting public understanding of the federal courts.
Student involvement options range from simply observing the ceremonies to taking an active part.

Student involvement could be serving as the color guard, leading the Pledge of Allegiance and/or a patriotic song, greeting participants in a receiving line, presenting new citizens with flags, and staffing tables with information about jury service, voter registration, and community volunteerism.

Middle school students in Oklahoma City recently got involved by writing letters to new citizens about the privileges and duties associated with U.S. citizenship. Excerpts of those letters are at
http://www.uscourts.gov/outreach/resources/naturalization.html.

“America does its best to keep everyone safe and, in order to do so, there are some laws. They will greatly benefit you and everyone around you if you follow them. They are not there to limit your freedom but to expand your safety,” wrote student Lindsey.

Danny wrote: “. . .With those freedoms and rights also comes your duties and responsibilities . . . including obeying the law, paying taxes, and serving jury duty when called upon.” And Lexi wrote, “You have finally been included in ‘We the People.’”

Also new to the federal judiciary’s web site in time for Constitution Day 2009 is an 11-minute video that features U.S. Supreme Court Justices Stephen G. Breyer and Anthony M. Kennedy and retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor discussing with high school students jury service as a key obligation of citizenship. The video is produced by The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands.