START with the names. And the countries. From little Honduras, Mr. Guzman. And from bigger Pakistan, Ms. Saddiqui. The paper mentioned young Mr. Flores of Mexico, who was brought here at 2 years old. His little sisters were in the audience to watch him take the oath of citizenship at the Old State House Museum earlier this week. Then there was Alfonzo Lopez and Summaiya Shah and Thu Huong Thi Phan. They took the oath, too, and are American now as apple pie. Welcome, y’all. Now that you’re official, red-white-andblue, documented Americans, you all can vote, scream at the refs when they make a call against the Hogs, and generally enjoy being citizens. We’ll add your names to the voting rolls, where you’ll join other all-American (and all-Arkansas) names such as Williams and Robinson and Smith. And Bahmani and Akiyama. And Zheng and Moreau. Your choice of a homeland and home state says a lot about you. A lot good. And a nod to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, too, which moved the ceremony this week from Memphis to the Old State House Museum in Little Rock. There should be more ceremonies held there. It’s beautiful. And there might be. At least according to a public affairs officer for immigration services: “We’re always looking to bring our naturalization ceremonies out in the public.” The officer’s name? Sharon Scheidhauer. What a country!
