Blair administers oath to nine new U.S. citizens

Senior Judge Jolene Kopriva, who administered the oath of citizenship, commended the group for the sacrifices they’ve made in deciding to become citizens.

“I love seeing the smiles on your faces,” Kopriva told the people who stood before her, waiting for their citizenship certificates. “It is indeed an accomplishment.”

Hollidaysburg area resident Franz Rudolf Pecka, a native of Germany, was among those smiling. He initially came to the United States in 1991 on a work visa for SKF Industries that set up a manufacturing site in Connecticut. He later transferred to Altoona and worked for the ball-bearing manufacturer until taking a job with Federal Carbide in Tyrone. Since retiring, Pecka said he’s been studying massage therapy.

When asked after the ceremony why he decided to seek citizenship, Pecka said: “It seemed like a natural thing to do now.”

Hollidaysburg area resident Franz Rudolf Pecka shows off the U.S. citizenship certificate he received Friday at the Blair County Courthouse. His audience includes granddaughters Kenzi, 13, Jocelyn, 10, and Gianna, 11, daughters of Jason and Angela Zimmerman of Hollidaysburg.
Mirror photo by Kay Stephens

Pecka said he was regularly traveling to Germany until about 2½ years ago when his mother died. While he still has family in Germany, he referred to the Hollidaysburg area as home for him and his wife, Deborah, along with their daughter, son-in-law and three granddaughters.

President Judge Wade A. Kagarise, who presided over the ceremony, said he couldn’t recall a time when the county naturalized as many as nine new citizens. The president judge also distributed citizenship certificates and allotted time for the new citizens to offer remarks.

“Love brought me here,” said Olga Minerva Gomez Saggese of Mexico, who spoke wistfully of her husband’s death in January, then recognized her brother and sister-in-law for their attendance at her citizenship ceremony.

“Thank you to the United States of America for making me feel at home,” Saggese said. “I’m very proud of this day.”

Machpoule Hatzinikolas of Greece also expressed his gratitude.

“I love this country,” Hatzinikolas said. “Thank you so much.”

Others who took the oath were: Jialei Jiang of China, Harshal Vasudev Naik of India, Marco Fiore of Italy, Karim Bitar of Lebanon, Michael Herzon Galasan Navarro of the Philippines and Thuy Thi Thanh Hoang of Vietnam.

Judge Jackie Bernard, who referred to the group as “my fellow American citizens” shortly after they pledged their allegiance to the United States, encouraged them to share their gifts, time and talent by volunteering in their communities.

Bernard also thanked the new citizens for participating in the ceremony where each rendered their public and personal promise to support the U.S. Constitution.

“We are a great country and greater because you’re in it,” she told them.

Other ceremony participants included Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts Robin Patton, vocalist Bob Hench and tipstaff Dave Zeak.

The Hollidaysburg Area Women’s Club presented each of the new citizens with gifts and served refreshments.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.