observance. The communities whose educational authorities, patriotic organizations, civic and religious groups, and other agencies and individuals carry on citizenship education before and after Citizenship Day not only better prepare their citizens for serious reflection on the significance of this particular event, but condition them for better participation in the daily activities of community, State, National, and world life.

Communities should try to extend the period devoted to recognition of citizenship beyond the annual ceremony. Sponsors of the movement for a Citizenship Day celebration have encouraged observance of the week preceding, called variously "I Am An American Week," "National Citizenship Week," or "Freedom Week." Activities on every day of the week should emphasize the significance of citizenship, and lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of the more formal program that usually accompanies the final observance.

In large centers where tens of thousands of people attend the celebration of Citizenship Day and where thousands probably see nothing more basic in the ceremony than a spectacular display, it is especially worthwhile to emphasize observance of a citizenshiprecognition week and even to hold neighborhood celebrations, for example, in churches, schools, or community centers during this period.

Some communities use this educational or preparatory week for informal group discussions that will be helpful to the newly naturalized citizen. Other communities hold meetings that are in the nature of an interesting and valuable extension of the studies that the new citizens have just completed to attain naturalization. Occasionally these meetings take the form of brief but inspirational presentations of the basic institutions underlying our type of government. Often they deal with current subjects about which the new citizen will be called upon to decide.

Here and there legislation has been passed and educational plans have been devised for the benefit of the new voter who has just reached maturity, the better to prepare him for full and responsible citizenship. The Extension Divisions of several universities have

participated in formulating plans for discussion groups in their respective States.

No more important subject can be emphasized to the new voter during this period of preparation than the significance of suffrage. It is vital for every American-in fact it is the sacred duty of every citizen-to make known his will through that priceless heritage, the ballot. Yet some of our citizens, who are outstanding in ministerial bodies, bar and medical associations, women's clubs, and other groups subscribe to the principle that they cannot afford to take part in politics. They complain of bad government, yet neglect the golden opportunity offered them to better conditions by exercising their right to vote. Even if they do vote, many of them cast their ballots in abject ignorance of the qualifications of the candidates running for office and of the issues at stake-ignorance perhaps even of the world-shaping events that their votes may start in motion. Millions of our citizens do not even take the trouble to vote, either in Presidential or in local elections.

It, therefore, is encouraging to note that many communities take one day of the week preceding Citizenship Day to stress the significance of suffrage, to seek one hundred percent registration of eligible voters, and to urge their complete participation in the elections. This has been done on a nonpartisan basis. Voters Information Day has been formally designated in several places. For this day, the League of Women Voters and Adult Education Departments have arranged programs on current issues.

CITIZENS CHOSEN FOR SPECIAL HONOR

The selection of certain groups of citizens for honor on Citizenship Day dramatizes recognition of United States citizenship. Citizenship Day was instituted for the recognition of youths of native birth just arrived at voting age, and those from other countries recently naturalized.

Each year over two million young men and women, who are already citizens, reach the age at which they acquire certain rights and privileges. At this time, they begin participation in the civic

and political life of their communities, States, and the Nation. This participation requires the performance of certain duties and the acceptance of certain obligations-in essence, dedication to the principles of American democracy.

Each year also, by meeting the requirements of naturalization, a large number of men and women of foreign birth acquire the rights and privileges of citizenship and stand ready to take part in the affairs of the Nation.

On Citizenship Day, both groups join with all other United States citizens in publicly pledging their willingness to shoulder their share of responsibility.

When our country honors these citizens on this day, it gives a national demonstration of appreciation for both groups. Through emphasis on the significance of citizenship, this nation-wide observance helps these two groups of new voters to understand more fully the great privileges and responsibilities that go with their citizenship and to obtain a better concept of the patriotic, spiritual, and moral integrity essential to the maintenance of the American way of life.

When the Nation honors the foreign-born citizens it pays tribute also to the multitudes from other lands who, since the beginning of our history, have given their lives and labors to the building of America. People of every race, creed, and culture brought their gifts and laid them at the altar of our country. Our heritage comes from all the world and our peoples from all mankind.

Many have achieved greatness. As statesmen in legislative halls, as captains of industry, and as leaders before the footlights on the stage of human action, they have shared in making America great. They have added stature to our growth, and horizon to our vision.

But theirs is not the only contribution of the foreign-born to the greatness of America. Year after year, countless thousands from the great plain people have played no less essential roles. Behind the plow, beside the machines of industry, at the crossroads of business, and along the highways and bypaths of our great Nation, unknown heroes have helped to shape our national destiny and to make our country great.

In giving recognition to the youth of today, the Nation likewise honors the youth of all yesterdays. American youth has merited this

honor, in peace and in war. On every battlefield of freedom youth has earned this recognition.

On the battlefields of war, our youths learned what it means to be an American, learned that no artificial barriers—racial, religious, social, or economic-separate men on the fighting front, and that theirs is the job to help erase prejudice on the home front. They have contributed to the ideal of "Americans All”—a basic objective of the Citizenship Day celebration. Like the youths of the past, they have demonstrated their fitness to receive the heritage that has been held in trust for them. The future belongs to them. Great is their responsibility of citizenship; solemn the occasion of its acceptance.

In addition to the two major groups, many communities have chosen also to honor individual citizens who during the year have best exemplified the "Good Citizen"-members of the community who have given outstanding civic and patriotic performances.

Many heroes from the armed services have been honored, and are still honored, at Citizenship Day observances. They frequently speak upon such occasions and their remarks are always well received because they, themselves, exemplify Americanism. Almost without exception the real hero shares his honor with the unrecognized, unhonored, and unsung heroes. Each recognizes that no individual plays his part alone, but that all must think and work together for the good of the whole. Sharing has always been characteristic of Americans. Love, hope, compassion, noble aspirations, sacrifice, sorrow, and unhappiness have been shared. To be an American is to share with others. As long as the spirit of sharing prevails throughout the land, there need be no fear about the future of our country.

Honored, also, in many localities, have been mothers who have given several sons to the service-sons that in some instances made the supreme sacrifice. These communities have deemed it appropriate to honor those who "have combined the practical and the spiritual into one workable way of human life, * * * have darned little stockings, mended little dresses, washed little faces, and have pointed little eyes to the stars, and little souls to eternal things," and have guided little children into a manhood or womanhood where they were

found ready to answer their country's call and defend its liberty. Through this special recognition, all the mothers of the land with sons or daughters in the service are honored. Since all communities of any size now have such mothers, as well as gold star mothers, many believe the occasion affords an appropriate opportunity to honor all motherhood. Such recognition in turn honors the home-the sacredness of which is inherent in the significance of citizenship.

Many individuals, who have made outstanding contributions to our country during peace time, are given recognition on Citizenship Day. The number who are thus specially honored should increase. America is a peace-loving Nation. As we build the peace, more and more citizens should be honored for their contribution to the health and happiness of mankind in peace.

The special groups or individuals chosen for honor on Citizenship Day may be accorded recognition in various ways. They may receive special mention or attention during the ceremonies. They may occupy places of prominence on the program and may receive citations and medals, certificates of citizenship, certificates of public recognition, souvenirs or mementos, or other recognitions.

In the Nation's Capital during the 1944 celebration, Justice Felix Frankfurter, who came to this country from Vienna at the age of 11, delivered certificates of citizenship to nine men and women. Each coming from a different country, they represented all of the new citizens who had been naturalized during the preceding year.

As each new citizen advanced to receive the certificate of citizenship and a friendly handshake from Justice Frankfurter, who had achieved the highest honor available to a foreign-born citizen-a place on the Supreme Court of the United States-the moment was made stirringly impressive by Corporal Marcus Austad, radio artist, who narrated briefly the contributions made to civilization by the new citizen's native land.

Among the nine honored upon this occasion was Mrs. Angiolina Cieri, an Italian mother who was introduced to the cheering throng as having four sons in the armed services of her adopted country.

A spontaneous and heart-felt response came from the great audience as Pvt. Mok Kim from China, wearing the uniform of an American soldier, received his certificate of United States citizenship.