We are delighted to share that two of our very own recently become U.S. citizens – ironically, on the very same day!
Our I.T. Consultant of 10 years, Jirka Ambroz and Australian Lawyer, Paul Altmann, both took the Oath of Allegiance in Los Angeles on July 20th. Jirka was part of the morning naturalization ceremony at the Los Angeles Convention Center and Paul was part of the afternoon ceremony at the same location. They were 2 of approximately 8,000 new U.S. citizens for the county of Los Angeles that day!
We will leave it to Jirka and Paul to sum up their own experiences – a huge congratulations to them both!
Jirka: Today I have become an American citizen together with little over 3,700 people. I know I am a cynic at times, but events like today move me. I have been critical many times of America and its people, and their ways of dealing with events and issues internationally and domestically. But the bottom line is that, to my knowledge, America is still the one country in the world, where if you work hard and want to achieve something you can do it. America gave me an opportunity to start my company from nothing, it gave me my husband, Rasmus, it allowed me to marry him and it gave us our beautiful two children Lukas and Olivia. So Thank You America for everything you have done for me. I will work hard to give back as much as I am able to. I started today by registering to vote. I am proud to be an American!
Paul: I was particularly moved by the Presiding Judge’s address. He focused on how unworthy he felt, as someone fortunate enough to be born in the United States, compared to each of us who had chosen to take the path to becoming an American. It certainly made me appreciate my humble little journey from growing up on a farm in rural Australia to the bright lights of LA and NYC, where I have lived over the past 10 years. Equally, it put into perspective how very lucky I was to be there – from getting a job in 2006 that came with work visa sponsorship, to then winning to the green card lottery, and now to this moment. Compared to those who never get to have this experience despite wanting it so badly, and those whose paths to citizenship are much longer and rockier than mine, I also felt unworthy. However, I am very grateful to have been able to share the experience with my partner, Robbie and friend, Danielle, and I am very proud to now call myself an Aussie-American!