Whimpper Barahona, United States Citizen

"In a democracy, the highest office is the office of citizen."
-- Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter

The Lawrence History Center is honored to announce that a member of our LHC family is now a citizen of the United States of America!

On November 30, 2011, Ecuadorian born Whimpper Barahona, a member of our Board of Directors and dedicated teacher at Lawrence High School, took the Oath of Allegiance during the U.S. Naturalization Ceremony at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell. Standing alongside hundreds of other immigrants representing 91 countries from Albania to Zimbabwe, Whimpper chose this country.

The Naturalization Ceremony itself was both moving and powerful. An enormous American Flag provided a fitting backdrop for the program. As the names of all 91 countries were read, the audience was asked to hold its applause until the end.

Most of the guests abided by this request; however, there was a group of very proud and enthusiastic people from LHC up in the balcony who were unable to contain themselves. When Belgium was named, there was applause. When Ecuador was named, there were cheers and applause. When Germany and Italy and Lebanon and Poland were named, still more applause. Even though none of our group are first generation immigrants, all of us have origins in other countries… and welcoming our “extended family” to this country is absolutely something to celebrate!

The History Center has been sharing the immigration story that is truly the story of this country for over 30 years. We have a sense of what it means for people to leave their countries and come to a foreign place with very little other than the desire for a better life. Yesterday, the Lowell Memorial Auditorium was full of these stories – stories as unique as the individuals who live them, yet stories of unity in the shared path they have all now chosen.

Congratulations, Whimpper, and welcome to the highest office!