Photo of the Day: 100 People Sworn In As U.S. Citizens

U.S. Rep Gerry Connolly (D-11th), Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova, and Virginia Del. Mark Keam (D-35th) participated Friday in a naturalization ceremony at the Government Center in Fairfax, where 100 people from 38 nations were sworn in as United States citizens.

The new citizens, accompanied by many family members, filled the Government Center's auditorium for the naturalization ceremony held by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Congressman Connolly, Chairman Bulova, and Delegate Keam addressed the group, each describing in their words what it meant to be an American.

The new citizens also heard from an official of USCIS and local members of the community who became naturalized citizens themselves some years ago.

"Pride and patriotic fervor filled the room as many of the new citizens and their families clutched small American flags," said a representative from Congressman Connolly's office.

At the end of the ceremony, Connolly, Bulova, Keam, and Claudia Young, USCIS Washington Field Office Section Chief, personally congratulated each of the new citizens.