October 22, 2007

A representative of Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land will attend naturalization ceremonies in Grand Rapids this week to help new U.S. citizens register to vote.

The ceremonies are at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 23 and 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 24 at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, 303 Pearl St. N.W.

"This is a special moment in the lives of our new countrymen and we're proud to be a part of it," Land said. "They have worked hard to become Americans. But their responsibilities don't stop here. They must now make their voices heard by exercising their right to vote."

The Department of State will have a voter registration table on site for the convenience of the newly sworn citizens.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Bureau, part of the Department of Homeland Security, is conducting the ceremonies.