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New Citizens Take The Oath At Philadelphia City Hall

By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Thirty-five newly-minted Americans took their Oath of Allegiance at Philadelphia City Hall last week.

It was an unusual venue -- there hasn't been a naturalization ceremony in City Hall in more than five years-- but the excitement and earnestness of the new citizens was as familiar as ever. Some spoke with KYW Newsradio:

"Hopefully we have a bright future here and our children have a bright future."

"I really want to learn something here and I really want to do something here."

"Also the politics. I really like the politics and I really want to be involved into it."

The keynote speaker was Philadelphia managing Director Rich Negrin -- the son of immigrants.

"The first in my family to go to college, first to go to law school, to become the deputy mayor and managing director of the fifth largest city in the country," he says. "That's what this country is all about, and that is what you have before you."

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