On May 7, 2026, the City of Tulsa held a naturalization ceremony at which 19 individuals from 10 countries (Australia, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, and others) became United States citizens. The ceremony included the Pledge of Allegiance, administration of the Oath of Allegiance, a keynote address, presentation of certificates, and remarks from city officials.
If you would please join me in the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you. You may be seated. There were a couple of things that I wanted to say very quickly before we do the call of countries and the oath of allegiance. I know you're all familiar with it because it's one of the things we can ask you about in the naturalization exam. You know it was written in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson on behalf of the Founding Fathers, that he was explaining to England why we wanted to be our own country. And everyone knows the first line of the second paragraph that says we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Unfortunately, that's all a lot of people know about the Declaration of Independence. One of the reasons the United States of America became the United States of America was so that people like you could come here. And there's a reason for that. The founding fathers knew, and it's something that I know, that each of you brings strength with you. The life that you've lived, the education you've gotten, the failures you've had that you've learned from. All of these things give you a unique way of seeing the world, a unique way of seeing problems. You represent the entire world, we naturalize people like yourself from every country, but just where you're from is not the only strength that you have. It is the life that you've lived. And I want to take a moment today to say thank you for coming. Thank you for coming to this country. Thank you for bringing your strength here. And I want to ask you to help us to have help us in one of our oldest traditions, and that is we are always trying to be better than we are at any one given moment. Help help us with the strength that you have to do better to be better. Yet this goes back to the founding. When Thomas Jefferson wrote, all men are created equal, endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights. Where we were as a country was a world away from where we said we want it to be. Help us to continue that tradition. In today's ceremony, there are 19 individuals from ten different countries. Stand up, turn around, wave, because somebody back there wants your picture, and then have a seat, and I'll read the next country. As I said, this is a wonderful time to make some noise because they have worked hard to get here. You've been with them through the process, you know this. So, in no particular order other than alphabetical, Australia. United Kingdom, and Vietnam, now at this time I will be administering the oath of allegiance. Those of you who are naturalizing today. That I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure. All allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince. Potentate, state or sovereignty, state or sovereignty. Of whom or which, I have heretofore, been a subject or citizen, that I will support and defend the Constitution, that I will support and defend the Constitution. And the laws of the United States of America. Against all enemies, foreign and domestic. And allegiance to the same. That I will bear arms. On behalf of the United States. When required by the law. That I'll perform non-combatant service. Of national importance. Under civilian direction. When required by the law. When required by the law. And that I take this obligation freely. Without any mental reservation. Without any mental reservation.