The LWV of Clark County has just completed a project in partnership with the organization designated by the US Immigration service to prepare prospective new citizens in Southwest Washington for their citizenship tests.

Working with the Lutheran Community Services, the group so designated, the League successfully delivered 5 half- hour talks to the students during their regular citizenship classes. We focused on the importance of voting in a democracy and the need for all citizens to participate in their government. We discussed attending meetings and forums, contacting the elected representatives and accessing important information in order to be informed. We also talked about the logistics of registering to vote and the voting process.

The entire citizens group numbered 250, attracting the attention of dignitaries in both Washington and Oregon. Most of the students were Russian speakers and the talks were done through interpreters. Other nationalities included Chinese, Vietnamese and several Hispanic countries. Many of the sessions were quite lively. The students showed a breadth of knowledge about US government that would surprise many of us native citizens. They showed deep respect and seriousness to the concepts we presented.

One hundred fifty-eight students passed the INS test and interviews. A very moving swearing-in ceremony was held on May 20th and the League was present at the event. On stage, we congratulated the new citizens and presented each one with a souvenir American flag pin attached to a card reminding them to take part in democracy and to use their new right to vote. We had a table at the exit with voter registration forms, our TRY brochures and other voter and League information.

What began for League as simply an outreach, became a very inspiring project. We had the privilege to meet some of these new citizens and to hear their stories and share in their triumph. In welcoming new citizens, we hope to have encouraged them to become fully engaged members of our country.

The LWV Clark County would like to suggest that the LWVUS propose a New Citizens Project as an ongoing endeavor for all Leagues.