Press Release

Trenton, NJ - Under the waving American flag at South Riverwalk Park in Trenton, Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells was joined by Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes and local and state officials for the swearing-in ceremony of 10 new American citizens on Sunday, October 22, 2006.

The ceremony was held during New Jersey’s Statewide Cultural Festival, a spirited celebration which drew more than 2,000 festival goers from across the state. Holding small American flags, the 10 new American citizens, who are natives from Ghana, Indian, Korea, Liberia, Pakistan, Philippines, Taiwan, Turkey and Venezuela, recited their oaths of citizenship as their relatives and friends witnessed the event.  Michael Borgen, Officer in Charge of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services – Cherry Hill Office bureau, administered the oath of citizenship.

“The festival marks a joyous occasion for our new American citizens who represent the strength of New Jersey’s rich diversity and a wonderful celebration showcasing our state’s many faces and cultures,” said Secretary Wells, adding more than 145 distinct ethnic groups call New Jersey home. “We’re excited our statewide cultural festival offers a unique cross cultural and intergenerational experience for our families and children.”

Camille Huk, Acting Chair of the Governor’s Ethnic Advisory Council, congratulated the new American citizens and reminded them to share their rich heritage with their neighbors in an effort to enrich their lives.  She served as mistress of ceremonies for the swearing-in ceremony which featured a performance by the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s brass quartet.

The cultural celebration kicked off at noon with a Native American Indian tent raising ceremony and continues through 6 p.m. at the South Riverwalk Park in Trenton. Sounds of the Trenton Central Marching Band filled the park as the high stepping members strutted through the outdoor venue. The festival theme was “Diversity--Embrace, Educate, Elevate and Celebrate!”

With a breath-taking view of the Delaware River, the 6.5 acre venue provided a beautiful backdrop for festival goers who enjoyed a day-long lineup of cultural activities, ethnic foods and music and dance performances by more than 30 artists from throughout New Jersey.

Festival highlights included intergenerational performances by Native American, Asian, Latino, Greek, Ukrainian, Gospel, and Bluegrass artists, among many others. The festival also featured a host of children’s performances, as well as African American storytelling, spoken word poetry, classical music, opera and a Caribbean steel band.

Governor Jon S. Corzine and Secretary Wells spearheaded the cultural festival to heighten awareness among New Jersey citizens. The festival also aimed to help citizens foster a mutual understanding and respect for other cultures and traditions through the exchange and performance of cultural arts.

Wells commended the festival’s partners, including Celebrate NJ, the New Jersey Association of County’s 21 Cultural and Heritage Commissions, Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer and Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes, for their tremendous support and community outreach efforts. Event co-chairs include Karen Hatcher, President of Celebrate NJ, and Camille Huk, Acting Chair of the Governor’s Ethnic Advisory Council.

Among the festival’s honorary co-hosts were Senate President Richard J. Codey, Senate Majority Leader Bernard F. Kenny, Senate President Pro Tempore Shirley K. Turner, Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance. Other co-hosts include Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts, Jr., Assembly Majority Leader Bonnie Watson Coleman, Assembly Speaker Pro Tempore Wilfredo Caraballo and Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce.

The festival sponsors included  the Department of State, Mercer County, the City of Trenton along with a network of partnering state, county, and municipal cultural agencies, and is underwritten in part by generous donations from Comcast; PSE&G; JCP&L; State Farm Insurance; J&J Pharmaceutical, Verizon; the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Inc.; NJ Coordinating Council; and the Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalitio.

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