Proud to be an American

On Tuesday, I had the privilege of observing the Naturalization Ceremony in Judge Lee Yeakel's court, which was held at the Delco Activity Center in Austin. Neil Cooke, a TDA systems analyst, took the Oath of Citizenship along with 984 people from 105 different countries. I must say it was an amazing and emotional sight to see people from all over the world join our ranks as Americans.

As Americans, we are proud of many things: our amber waves of grain; our purple mountains majesty; our fruited plains. But nothing, I mean nothing, stands in comparison to our people -- people who were fortunate enough to be born in the land of the free or people who chose to join the home of the brave. Our people are what makes us the strongest and greatest nation on earth. May God continue to bless the United States of America.

A verse from "America the Beautiful" captures the moment:
Oh beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years.
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.
America! America! God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.

Congratulations to Neil, Sowjanya Katpalli and Hong Su who also recently became United States citizens. It is an honor to work with my fellow colleagues at TDA and now also my fellow Americans.

God Bless the USA, and GO TEXAN.