Tommorrow I’m accompanying the judge I work for to a naturalization ceremony; some 2000 immigrants will become U.S. citizens. One of the cooler parts of my job.
Anyway, during the ceremony I’ll be giving a short speech. I have a few anecdotes about family members of my own who immigrated to America, but I need more. Any suggestions, quotes or such?
We had a training-type teleconference the other day with Judge Chin of the Southern District of NY. He said it was one of his favorite duties, too, and that he always tells the story of how his parents were a cook in a Chinese restaurant and a seamstress, respectively, and now he’s a Federal judge. I think the kind of stuff you’re talking about is fairly typical.
Have fun, you lucky dog! I’ve never been, but I hear it’s generally enough to bring a sentimental tear to one’s eye.
I’m going to be at one of these soon enough, I hope. 
(well, not an American one, but still. Somebody needs to teach Potter to sing O Canada in French.)
Thanks guys. It went swimmingly. There were about 5000 there, including family members. They loved my speech; even the part where, in the course of illustrating the ethnic diversity of the United States by mentioning the wildly varied last names of our Olympic athletes, I inexplicably included Gretzky. I’m sure the 30 or so Canadians who were being naturalized think I’m a total idiot (but a well-spoken idiot!).
It really did go well though, gaffe aside. It was very moving and I got lots of compliments and vigourous handshakes afterwards; one Irish gent made my day and said I was very charismatic and should go into politics. Must not be a hockey fan.