Welcome Remarks Constitution Day Naturalization Ceremony

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

I would like to thank the students from Alice Deal Middle School who beautifully recited the Preamble to the Constitution, and Judge Moss for administering the oath of citizenship.

25 of you took that oath - 25 of you from 25 different nationalities - all now proudly part of our American family.

We are here on Constitution Day, the day, 237 years ago, when delegates signed their names to the Constitution - a new Constitution.

We can debate our system of government - certainly, it has both strengths and challenges. But we should come together on this day and commemorate the genius of those who drafted our Constitution. 

Never before had there been a large, diverse democratic republic like the United States of America. As a political scientist, I can tell you they faced an almost impossible task. 

They had to preserve the spirit of the American Revolution that had only ended four years earlier. That meant restricting the centralized authority of a national government and making sure that power continued to reside with the American people.

For that reason, the separation of powers was devised and created, which included checks and balances.

However, the Constitutional Convention delegates also had to construct a government that was energetic enough to act - to provide for the common defense, conduct foreign policy, and enforce the laws that were enacted.

And for that reason, the Framers created a strong executive, a legislature with numerous enumerated powers, and an independent judiciary.

Many of those who signed the Constitution didn’t expect it would last more than a few generations. But they underestimated the flexibility and resilience inherent in the system they created.

162 years ago today, the Civil War battle of Antietam was fought in Maryland. It was the deadliest day in American history. Over 23,000 people were killed or wounded. 

And yet, amidst such a terrible anguish, the Constitution prevailed! The battle led President Lincoln to issue the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation and set the path for a more free nation.

In January 2026, the National Archives will add that document, the Emancipation Proclamation, to permanent display inside this Rotunda. It will take its rightful place along that wall (point in direction) because it represents the continued refounding of our republic.

The expansion of rights to all Americans is possible because our Constitution empowers citizens to work together to form a more perfect union.  

And now as an American citizen, you are joining our ongoing democratic experiment.

Our Constitution and the institutions it established relies on each of us to do our part. Please remember that as you pursue your happiness as an American.

Here at the National Archives, we are certainly striving to fulfill our mission in strengthening democracy.

We do so by preserving, protecting, and sharing our nation’s records.

But these records aren’t just pieces of paper - they are tools to hold our government accountable and to inform us as we work together to establish a more perfect union.

Let’s continue, together, to honor our Constitution and to make our contribution to the American story.

Now it’s my pleasure to introduce our keynote speaker, Gary Vaynerchuk, also known as GaryVee.

Gary is living an extraordinary life. After immigrating with his family from Belarus in 1978, this “purebred entrepreneur” started his first business at age seven and has never stopped.

Beginning with lemonade, baseball cards, and toys, before moving to wine, e-commerce, and best-selling books, GaryVee has been an unstoppable whirlwind of entrepreneurial insight, foresight, and success.

The CEO of VaynerMedia, Chairman of VaynerX, Creator & CEO of VeeFriends, and host of one of the top global podcasts, “The GaryVee Audio Experience,” he is considered one of the leading global minds on emerging trends in culture, business and the internet.

A prolific investor, the founder and creator of VeeCon - a conference bridging business, pop culture, innovation, and technology - and even the owner of a Major League Pickleball team, Gary shares his insights with more than 44 million followers online.

All of these accomplishments are indeed impressive, but I didn’t invite Gary here because of them. I invited Gary to speak because of his message of positivity. 

These days, I travel a great deal, and during my travels, I like to listen to Gary’s podcast. 

I’m not a business entrepreneur, yet I find his message just as relevant for someone like me who leads a federal agency. What I appreciate the most is his emphasis on the fact that while success is important, it’s also how you play the game. Good guys (and women) don’t finish last, and empathy is one of the most important qualities in any person, no matter what your job or position is.

So please join me in welcoming Gary Vaynerchuk, and congratulations again to our new citizens!