Welcome Remarks Bill of Rights Day Naturalization Ceremony

Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests, and the newest members of our American family, welcome to the National Archives. 

I would like to thank the students from MacArthur High School who wonderfully recited the Preamble to the Constitution, and Judge Gunn for administering the oath of citizenship.

You just pledged your support to the Constitution, which is behind me—but today I want to focus my attention on the document to my left—the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to our Constitution.

Today is Bill of Rights Day which commemorates the adoption of those amendments 232 years ago. These amendments protect our most fundamental rights that are guaranteed to all Americans—freedom of speech, the press, and religion; the right to petition our government; and equal protection under the law.

President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed the first Bill of Rights Day in 1941, to commemorate, “the great American charter of personal liberty and human dignity.” He reminded us to not take those rights for granted, and asked that the day should, “rededicate its principles and its practice.”

Along with the Declaration of Independence, to my right, these three founding documents are a testament to the enduring values of freedom, justice, and equality that we continuously strive to perfect.

They are living promises—a covenant between the government and its citizens. You are now part of that promise, and as Americans, these documents belong to you.

Here at the National Archives, we preserve, protect, and share the billions of records we hold in trust for this great nation. We do this to cultivate public participation and strengthen our democracy.

We live in an era in which the world around us is filled with division and disagreement. There is a time and place for such debate in a democracy. In fact, the father of our Constitution, James Madison, believed that such conflict was healthy for our governing institutions.

But this Rotunda serves as a different place - a democratic oasis -  where we can come together and celebrate the principles that unite us as Americans.

As Archivist of the United States, I am committed to ensure that the National Archives remains  a trusted resource for all Americans, regardless of creed, belief, or opinion.

Now, it’s my pleasure to introduce our keynote speaker, who knows what a naturalization ceremony means first-hand. Melania Trump is our only First Lady in American history who is also a naturalized citizen. Born in Slovenia, Mrs. Trump immigrated to the United States, and in 2006 she joined us as a fellow American.

As First Lady, Mrs. Trump was a strong advocate for our nation’s youth. I had the privilege of working alongside her on several initiatives, including the centennial anniversary of the 19th amendment. This amendment, of course,  removed voting restrictions for women based upon their sex.

Mrs. Trump eagerly supported the work we did on the federal commission to celebrate the centennial. When I became the chair of the foundation to build a federal memorial in Washington, DC, to commemorate the suffragists, she was the first former First Lady to agree to serve as an honorary co-chair.

I am grateful for the help and enthusiasm she has provided to those of us who are working to elevate these important stories of American women.

Please join me in welcoming Mrs. Melania Trump and congratulations again to our new citizens!