A Day to Remember: Warren Harris Speaks at Naturalization Ceremony

L to R: Warren W. Harris, Nina Perales - Vice President of Litigation for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Hon. Keith P. Ellison - US District Judge for the Southern District of Texas, and Vince Ryan - Harris County Attorney.

HOUSTON – More than 3,000 petitioners raised their right hands and took the oath of US citizenship at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center in Houston on Wednesday, June 20, 2018.

Taking part in this momentous occasion was Warren W. Harris, chair of Bracewell’s appellate practice and president of the Houston Bar Association.

“It is really touching to be part of this,” said Harris in his capacity as HBA president. “It is so emotional with all the new citizens coming in. It’s a great privilege to be a part of an experience like this.”

Presiding over the services and administering the oath of citizenship was the Honorable Keith P. Ellison, US District Judge for the Southern District of Texas. In addressing the new US citizens, Judge Ellison noted the motto of the United States – E Pluribus Unum – the Latin phrase for “out of many, one.” His remarks were a reminder to all in attendance that as US citizens we are united as one.

Harris also drew upon the theme of unity in his speech, as well as the law and the freedoms we all share.

“As you know, our country is made up of people from all walks of life and from countries all over the world,” Harris noted. “We’re all bound together by the pursuit of common principles – freedom, equality and justice. It’s the law and our legal system that protects the freedoms that we all enjoy and protects this nation in which we are fortunate to live in.”

A day that was a long time in the making will now be one that 3,000 new Americans will never forget.