JT Briefing

U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle watches as Burlington Vicinage Assignment Judge Ronald E. Bookbinder hands a flag to a new citizen during a naturalization ceremony in Mount Holly on Sept. 14. Simandle administered the Oath of Citizenship to 18 new citizens as part of the Burlington County Superior Court's Constitution Week celebration.

U.S. District Judge Jerome B. Simandle presided over a naturalization ceremony for 25 foreign-born residents of Burlington County on Sept. 14 as part of the Burlington County Superior Court’s Constitution Week celebration. The new citizens hail from 18 countries.

Constitution and Citizenship Day is nationally celebrated on Sept. 17, the date in 1787 when the Founding Fathers convened in Philadelphia to create “a more perfect Union” and craft the document that is the foundation of our nation’s government.

“The mission statement of the New Jersey Judiciary recognizes the important concepts of preserving the rule of law and protecting the rights and liberties guaranteed by the constitution,” said Assignment Judge Ronald E. Bookbinder said. “We are proud to host this ceremony to bring to our newest ‘fellow Americans’ the benefits and honor of American citizenship.”

Additional remarks were delivered by Ka’Lia Zahir, a member of the Willingboro chapter of the New Jersey Orators, and immigration attorney Shereen Chen, who represented the Burlington County Bar Association.

The Burlington County Clerk’s Office presented voter registration forms and passport information to the new citizens.

Bookbinder signed and read a proclamation declaring that the court is celebrating Juror Appreciation Week in conjunction with Constitution Week.

“A jury of one’s peers is a cornerstone of American jurisprudence and one of the principal means by which our citizens take part in an open, democratic government,” Bookbinder said.

New Jersey Courts

Federal Judge Presides at Burlington Vicinage Naturalization Ceremony