Representative Norm Thurston will host a naturalization ceremony for approximately 150 people from 51 countries on Monday, March 28, 2016 at the Utah State Capitol.
The Oath of Allegiance will be administered by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services District Director Angela K. Barrows.
“I am excited to continue the tradition we started last fall to use the historic State Capitol to host naturalization ceremonies,” said Rep. Thurston. “I’m pleased to participate in this special day and host the ceremony in the People’s House. Having been part of these events with my own family members, I understand the sacrifices many have made in order to become part of the fabric of our society and I welcome them as equal partners in our community.”
Rep. Thurston and Lt. Col. Matthew Badell, Utah National Guard, will speak at the ceremony.
Lt. Colonel Badell started working for the Utah National Guard in intelligence and currently is an Army aviator, flying Apache and Blackhawk helicopters. He is fluent in Thai, Lao and Korean. His grandparents Joab Badell and Martha Azziz were Christian Assyrians who immigrated from Iran. His wife Rose is a Cambodian refugee and their three adopted children make up a beautiful diverse family with Mongolian, Cambodian, Filipino and American heritage.
