HARRISBURG, Pa. — 23 people from 13 countries recited the Pledge of Allegiance as American citizens for the first time on Monday at the Dauphin County courthouse.
For Claire Fritz, it’s a story more than 30 years in the making.
“I needed to do it for myself because this is my home, England is my home too, but this is my home, I’ve lived here longer than England, so this is my home,” Fritz said.
Originally from the United Kingdom, Fritz immigrated to the United States to be with her wife Amy of 16 years.
Her first goal as a United States citizen was registering to vote.
“I know now how important it is to make your every vote count, so I’m super excited to do that, but I also just have to get everything changed now so you know how that goes,” Fritz said.
Fritz was joined by her wife and members of their family during the ceremony.
Officiating a naturalization ceremony for the first time was Dauphin County Judge Courtney Powell.
“Our newly sworn-in citizens have worked so hard and so for me to be able to welcome them as their first welcome to this country as citizens was just really emotional for me,” Powell said.
Several county and state officials were there to welcome Pennsylvania’s newest U.S. citizens.
They hope Monday’s ceremony encourages other people to start the path toward citizenship.
“I think the determination to succeed with hard work and motivation is really what we all want as citizens,” Powell said.
The next naturalization ceremony is scheduled for September.
The Dauphin County Prothonotary Office is expecting to welcome more than 20 more new Americans by then.