Citizenship Counts
Encyclopedia
Citizenship Counts is a non-partisan 501(c)(3) organization based in Arizona
that is dedicated to inspiring American youth with a civic education curriculum that teaches them the value and responsibilities of citizenship
, promotes pride in American citizenship, and encourages students to be involved in their communities.
has played in creating their diverse and dynamic communities.
was asked to speak at a naturalization
ceremony that was hosted by Three Rivers Middle School in Cleves, Ohio
. Klein was touched by the students' interest and excitement as they witnessed immigrants taking the "Oath of Allegiance" to become citizens of the United States
. She envisioned students across the country having the opportunity to participate in planning and engaging in naturalization ceremonies hosted by their schools.
Klein shared her experience with her granddaughter, Alysa Ullman, and her friend, Rita Schaefer, then President of McDougal Littell, a publisher of educational materials for middle- and high-school students. After learning that Klein and Ullman were invited to attend a special naturalization ceremony at the White House
, Schaefer encouraged Ullman to author a civics-based curriculum about the naturalization process. In February 2008, The Path to Citizenship was published, and in August 2008, Citizenship Counts was founded to implement the program in schools across the United States.
On March 23, 2009, the inaugural naturalization ceremony under the stewardship of Citizenship Counts was held at the Phoenix Convention Center
. Fifty new citizens from twenty-six countries took the "Oath of Allegiance," which was administered by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. More than one hundred students witnessed this event as Klein delivered a speech on achieving the "American Dream" of citizenship.
In 2009 and 2010, multiple naturalization ceremonies have been hosted at local schools and community centers in Arizona, including Villa Montessori and Mesquite High School.
On January 29, 2011, Citizenship Counts and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) hosted a naturalization ceremony at the Mall of America
in Bloomington
, Minnesota
, where forty-one adults from twenty-two countries and thirty-nine children from thirty-six countries participated. At this event, Gerda Weissmann Klein received the Outstanding American By Choice award from USCIS Director, Alejandro Mayorkas.
In February 2011, Gerda Weissmann Klein received the Presidential Medal of Freedom
in a ceremony at the White House. Klein was nominated for this award by U.S. President Barack Obama
for her dedication to "the value of freedom" and "promoting tolerance and understanding among all people."
Future ceremonies and events are planned for Phoenix
, Minneapolis-Saint Paul
, Omaha
, Buffalo
, Cincinnati, Denver, and Honolulu schools. In the summer of 2011, Citizenship Counts will be partnering with the Close Up Foundation
to host a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
, bringing students together from several communities across the country.
Citizenship Counts acts as the liaison between the schools that utilize the curriculum and both USCIS and the U.S. Federal Courts
, which perform naturalization ceremonies at the schools. At these ceremonies, school-wide participation is encouraged: the student choir has sung "America the Beautiful,"
the school band has played "The Star-Spangled Banner,"
the ROTC has presented the colors, and students have participated in essay and artwork contests. During the ceremony the students have the unique opportunity to witness the emotion and fulfillment felt by new citizens as they take "The Oath of Allegiance."
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
that is dedicated to inspiring American youth with a civic education curriculum that teaches them the value and responsibilities of citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
, promotes pride in American citizenship, and encourages students to be involved in their communities.
Mission
By educating students on the tenets of citizenship, inspiring their pride of being United States citizens, and encouraging them to serve in their communities, Citizenship Counts empowers students to be responsible, active, and socially just citizens who appreciate the benefits of living in a diverse, inclusive, democratic country. Through this program, all citizens have greater access to naturalization ceremonies in their communities. Attending these ceremonies provides Americans with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the role that immigrationImmigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
has played in creating their diverse and dynamic communities.
History
In October 2004, Gerda Weissmann KleinGerda Weissmann Klein
Gerda Weissmann Klein is an author, humanitarian, historian, inspirational speaker , naturalized citizen and Holocaust survivor. For over six decades she has captivated audiences worldwide with her powerful message of hope, inspiration, love and humanity...
was asked to speak at a naturalization
Naturalization
Naturalization is the acquisition of citizenship and nationality by somebody who was not a citizen of that country at the time of birth....
ceremony that was hosted by Three Rivers Middle School in Cleves, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. Klein was touched by the students' interest and excitement as they witnessed immigrants taking the "Oath of Allegiance" to become citizens of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. She envisioned students across the country having the opportunity to participate in planning and engaging in naturalization ceremonies hosted by their schools.
Klein shared her experience with her granddaughter, Alysa Ullman, and her friend, Rita Schaefer, then President of McDougal Littell, a publisher of educational materials for middle- and high-school students. After learning that Klein and Ullman were invited to attend a special naturalization ceremony at the White House
White House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
, Schaefer encouraged Ullman to author a civics-based curriculum about the naturalization process. In February 2008, The Path to Citizenship was published, and in August 2008, Citizenship Counts was founded to implement the program in schools across the United States.
On March 23, 2009, the inaugural naturalization ceremony under the stewardship of Citizenship Counts was held at the Phoenix Convention Center
Phoenix Convention Center
The Phoenix Convention Center, in the heart of Downtown Phoenix, has been hosting national and regional conventions and trade shows as well as consumer events and theatrical productions since it opened in 1972...
. Fifty new citizens from twenty-six countries took the "Oath of Allegiance," which was administered by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. More than one hundred students witnessed this event as Klein delivered a speech on achieving the "American Dream" of citizenship.
In 2009 and 2010, multiple naturalization ceremonies have been hosted at local schools and community centers in Arizona, including Villa Montessori and Mesquite High School.
On January 29, 2011, Citizenship Counts and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) hosted a naturalization ceremony at the Mall of America
Mall of America
The Mall of America, also called MOA and the Megamall, is a shopping mall located in Bloomington, Minnesota, a suburb of the Twin Cities, in the United States. It is located southeast of the junction of Interstate 494 and Minnesota State Highway 77, north of the Minnesota River and is across the...
in Bloomington
Bloomington, Minnesota
Bloomington is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota in Hennepin County. Located on the north bank of the Minnesota River above its confluence with the Mississippi River, Bloomington lies at the heart of the southern...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
, where forty-one adults from twenty-two countries and thirty-nine children from thirty-six countries participated. At this event, Gerda Weissmann Klein received the Outstanding American By Choice award from USCIS Director, Alejandro Mayorkas.
In February 2011, Gerda Weissmann Klein received the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
in a ceremony at the White House. Klein was nominated for this award by U.S. President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
for her dedication to "the value of freedom" and "promoting tolerance and understanding among all people."
Future ceremonies and events are planned for Phoenix
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Minneapolis-Saint Paul
Twin cities
Twin cities are a special case of two cities or urban centres which are founded in close geographic proximity and then grow into each other over time...
, Omaha
Omaha
Omaha may refer to:*Omaha , a Native American tribe that currently resides in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Nebraska-Places:United States* Omaha, Nebraska* Omaha, Arkansas* Omaha, Georgia* Omaha, Illinois* Omaha, Texas...
, Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, Cincinnati, Denver, and Honolulu schools. In the summer of 2011, Citizenship Counts will be partnering with the Close Up Foundation
Close Up Foundation
The Close Up Foundation is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization in the United States. Founded in 1971 Close Up offers high school students an in-depth view of the democratic process, by interactive participation.-Participation:...
to host a ceremony in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, bringing students together from several communities across the country.
Curriculum
Citizenship Counts' interactive and multi-disciplinary curriculum, The Path to Citizenship, provides a unique opportunity for students to plan and host a community-based naturalization ceremony in their schools. This curriculum also helps students learn about the processes of immigration and naturalization and the rights of being a citizen in the United States. Topics and features include historical background on immigration to the United States, the naturalization process, classroom activities about immigration and citizenship, a citizenship handbook, and a school-wide naturalization ceremony project.Citizenship Counts acts as the liaison between the schools that utilize the curriculum and both USCIS and the U.S. Federal Courts
United States federal courts
The United States federal courts make up the judiciary branch of federal government of the United States organized under the United States Constitution and laws of the federal government.-Categories:...
, which perform naturalization ceremonies at the schools. At these ceremonies, school-wide participation is encouraged: the student choir has sung "America the Beautiful,"
America the Beautiful
"America the Beautiful" is an American patriotic song. The lyrics were written by Katharine Lee Bates and the music composed by church organist and choirmaster Samuel A. Ward....
the school band has played "The Star-Spangled Banner,"
The Star-Spangled Banner
"The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America. The lyrics come from "Defence of Fort McHenry", a poem written in 1814 by the 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, Francis Scott Key, after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships...
the ROTC has presented the colors, and students have participated in essay and artwork contests. During the ceremony the students have the unique opportunity to witness the emotion and fulfillment felt by new citizens as they take "The Oath of Allegiance."
Partnerships
Citizenship Counts has partnered with numerous community and government organizations to assist schools and communities in planning and hosting naturalization ceremonies.- United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- American Immigration Council
- Center for Civic Education and Leadership
- Close Up Foundation
- Holt McDougal
- iCivics Inc.
- The Gerda and Kurt Klein Foundation
- Leading Authorities
- Minnesota Center for Social Studies Education
- National Conference on Citizenship
- National Council for the Social Studies
- St. Jepan Media
Board Members
Citizenship Counts has a variety of educational, political, business, and civic-minded community leaders who serve on its advisory or governing boards.Advisory Board
- Sandra Day O'ConnorSandra Day O'ConnorSandra Day O'Connor is an American jurist who was the first female member of the Supreme Court of the United States. She served as an Associate Justice from 1981 until her retirement from the Court in 2006. O'Connor was appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1981...
, former U.S. Supreme Court Justice - Kirk Ankeney, Executive Director for Curriculum and Instruction in the San Diego Unified School DistrictSan Diego Unified School DistrictSan Diego Unified School District is the school district of San Diego, California. It was founded in 1854...
- Dr. Bobby William AustinBobby William AustinBobby William Austin is an American sociologist, lecturer, and writer. He is a leading scholar on African American men and boys. Currently, he serves as Vice President for University Relations at the University of the District of Columbia...
, Executive Director of the National Alliance for Public Trust - Dr. Michael BerenbaumMichael BerenbaumMichael Berenbaum is an American scholar, professor, rabbi, writer, and film-maker, who specializes in the study of the memorialization of the Holocaust...
, Adjunct Professor of Theology at the American Jewish University - John BridgelandJohn BridgelandJohn M. Bridgeland is President and CEO of Civic Enterprises, a public policy firm in Washington, D.C. and vice-Chair of Malaria No More, a non-profit launched at the White House Summit on Malaria that is creating a grassroots, global movement to engage the private and non-profit sectors in...
, President and CEO of Civic Enterprises and Vice Chairman of Malaria No MoreMalaria No MoreMalaria No More is a nonprofit organization that aims to end death caused by malaria in Africa by 2015. Malaria No More is known for its participation in the Idol Gives Back charity specials.- History :... - Maria Cardona, political public affairs and communications professional
- Patti Solis DoylePatti Solis DoylePatti Solis Doyle is an American political operative and was in 2008 a senior adviser to the presidential campaign of Barack Obama, where she was the campaign chief of staff to Joe Biden, Obama's vice presidential choice....
, campaign Chief of Staff for Joe BidenJoe BidenJoseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr. is the 47th and current Vice President of the United States, serving under President Barack Obama... - Mark French, President of Leading Authorities, Inc.
- Dr. Jesus Garcia, former President of the National Council for the Social StudiesNational council for the social studiesThe National Council for the Social Studies is a US-based association devoted to supporting social studies education. It affiliated with various regional or state level social studies associations, including: the Middle States Council for the Social Studies, the Washington State Council for the...
- Carlos M. Gutierrez, 35th Secretary of the U.S. Department of CommerceUnited States Secretary of CommerceThe United States Secretary of Commerce is the head of the United States Department of Commerce concerned with business and industry; the Department states its mission to be "to foster, promote, and develop the foreign and domestic commerce"...
- Leon HarrisLeon HarrisLeon Harris is an American newscaster. Harris was born to Leon Sr. and Lorrene Harris in Akron, Ohio. He has three brothers: Marcus, Jerry, and J.J., who still reside in Akron; and a sister, Kimberly, who lives in Houston....
, anchor for Washington, D.C. ABCAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
affiliate WJLA-TVWJLA-TVWJLA-TV, channel 7, is the ABC affiliated television station in Washington, D.C.. It is the flagship station of the Allbritton Communications Company, which also operates local cable station NewsChannel 8. The two stations share broadcast facilities in the Rosslyn section of Arlington, Virginia... - Benjamin Johnson, Executive Director of the American Immigration Council
- Dr. James KielsmeierJames KielsmeierDr. James "Jim" Kielsmeier is founder and President/CEO of the National Youth Leadership Council, based in St. Paul, Minnesota. He also founded the Center for Experiential Education and Service-Learning at the University of Minnesota, where he is also an Adjunct Professor...
, Founder, President, and CEO of the National Youth Leadership CouncilNational Youth Leadership CouncilThe National Youth Leadership Council, or NYLC, is a national nonprofit organization located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that promotes service-learning in schools and communities across the United States. Founded in 1983 by Dr. James Kielsmeier, NYLC is the host of the annual National Service-Learning... - Thomas H. Kirk, Jr., former Deputy Commander of Special Forces in Europe
- Amy Leveton, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of Penn Schoen BerlandPenn, Schoen & BerlandPenn, Schoen Berland is a market research, political polling and strategic consulting firm with American offices in New York, Washington, Denver, Seattle, Los Angeles, Austin, and San Francisco, and international offices in London, Hong Kong, Beijing, Dubai, and Delhi. The firm was founded in 1975...
- Ted McConnell, Executive Director of the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools
- Abigail B. Taylor, Executive Director of http://www.icivics.org/iCivicsICivicsiCivics, inc. is a 501 non-profit organization that promotes civics education and encourages students to become active citizens. iCivics was founded by retired Supreme Court of the United States Justice Sandra Day O'Connor...
Inc.]
Governing Board
- Judy Schubert, Chairperson
- James A. Ullman, Treasurer
- Dr. Nancy Haas, Secretary
- Diane Eckstein
- Syd Golston
- Ron Lowe
- Carrie Martz
- Don Streets