Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Nydia Negron (212) 788-9364
Joining the Mayor were Deputy Mayor for Operations Randy Mastro and Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and Language Services Angelica Tang. Proclamations were presented to Margie MacHugh, Executive Director of The New York Immigration Coalition and Lucy Friedman, Executive Director of Victim Services of the New York Immigration Hotline.
"The purpose of this special day is to help strengthen a nation dedicated to liberty and justice...a nation in which its citizens may live an abundant life, develop opportunities for success and render service to their country," said Mayor Giuliani.
"Today, in the City of New York, we celebrate "Citizenship Day" by saluting one of our greatest traditions...immigration and naturalization.
"Immigration built America. Our country and our cities were built by the hands of immigrants. And today, as in years past, immigrants continue to revitalize and reinvigorate our economy and our communities," concluded the Mayor.
September 17th has been designated Citizenship Day as a result of a Joint Congressional Resolution with the purpose of strengthening "a Nation dedicated to liberty and justice in which its citizens may live an abundant life, develop to the fullest their individual opportunities for success and render corresponding service to their country."
The Mayor presented proclamations to The New York Immigration Coalition and the New York Immigration Hotline, praising their outstanding services to the City's immigrant community.
The City's Traveler's Aid Division at "Victims Services" has a special Immigration Hotline that offers free and confidential information in fifteen languages about immigration laws, visas, health care, legal matters and citizenship.
The New York Immigration Coalition is an umbrella advocacy organization for approximately 90 groups in New York State that work with newcomers to our country.
Today's ceremony was attended by representatives of various community based organizations, leading immigration advocates and immigrant community leaders. Also participating was the Newcomers High School Glee Club.
Mayor Giuliani also announced the appointment of James Chin as Chairman of New York City's Board of Standards and Appeals. (see Press Release # 383-96)
Shown in the picture with the Mayor is Irina Glukhov who immigrated from the Ukraine over 6 years ago with her husband, son, and parents. Irina, who became a U.S. citizen this June, began working as an intern in the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs. At the Immigrant Affairs Office, she proved to be a very hard worker and was hired part time. Irina then went on to work at the Mayor's Secretarial Pool and is now working for Richard Schwartz, the Senior Advisor to the Mayor.