gives the court more time for making naturalization an impressive occasion.

An increasing number of judges are subscribing to the theory that applicants should have a complete understanding of the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of citizenship before taking the oath of allegiance. This latter development marks the first definite step away from the routine court induction of the past toward a better and more inspirational process for the future.

Present naturalization procedure is, in some instances, still not in keeping with the significance and importance of the occasion. Partial responsibility for this failure lies in the fact that approximately 800 courts exercise responsibility for naturalizing new citizens. Although each court determines the same qualifications for citizenship and administers the same oath by which the applicant forswears his previous allegiance and pledges his loyalty to the United States, courts frequently differ in practices and conditions under which they operate. In some instances, also, the court is highly local in nature and reflects the strengths or weaknesses of its particular locality or leadership.

Furthermore, many courts are handicapped by large naturalization classes, small courtrooms, and heavy calendars. To some, these conditions have been so discouraging that no attempt has been made to make the naturalization proceedings inspirational. Some applicants for citizenship, ushered into a crowded courtroom by court attendants in much the same manner as persons appearing before the court on criminal charges and inducted into citizenship between hearings in criminal cases, unfortunately, have felt as though they were criminals rather than potential citizens. The results have been bewilderment, disillusionment, and even relief when the trying experience is over, rather than inspiration.

In sharp contrast, other courts with classes just as large, courtrooms just as crowded, and calendars just as heavy have been challenged rather than dismayed by these conditions, and have given an emotional uplift to the awarding of the cloak of American citizenship. By their courtroom ceremonials, these courts have endeavored to interpret the meaning and the full significance of the

life being entered through naturalization. They have pointed out that our Government belongs to the people and that the people should share its responsibilities. They have stressed other obligations and responsibilities of the new citizen. They have expanded the process of oath-taking into an impressive ceremony that honors and dignifies American citizenship. In these efforts the courts have had support and assistance. Patriotic, educational, civic, and fraternal organizations, as well as individuals, have become interested and have contributed their services to make naturalization proceedings dignified and effective.

In addition to these efforts further steps on a much broader scale have been taken looking to the improvement of naturalization proceedings. In 1940 Congress passed a joint resolution substantially re-enacted by the 82d Congress which resolved:

Either at the time of the rendition of the decree of naturalization or at such other time as the judge may fix, the judge or someone designated by him shall address the newly naturalized citizens upon the form and genius of our Government and the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship; it being the intent and purpose of this section to enlist the aid of the judiciary, in cooperation with civil and educational authorities, and patriotic organizations in a continuous effort to dignify and emphasize the significance of citizenship.5

Shortly after the passage by Congress of the 1940 resolution, the President of the United States issued a proclamation putting the resolution into effect.

Since 1940, similar Presidential proclamations have been issued annually. Thus, the legislative and executive branches of the national government have recognized the importance of dignifying the acquisition of citizenship.

In the late spring of 1942, Justice Justin Miller, of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, acting in an intermediary capacity for the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Department of Justice and the Office of Education of the Federal Security Agency, wrote to Chief Justice Harlan F. Stone regarding certain proposals that might be helpful in carrying out the intent of the joint resolution. These proposals were: A

554 Stat. 178.

resolution to be presented to the Conference of Senior Circuit Judges calling attention to the Congressional resolution and urging all Federal judges to do whatever they can to carry out its purpose; a request for consideration of the subject by each judicial circuit conference; a suggestion that the Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts designate a member of his staff to maintain a depository of information and to answer questions; and a request that information be collected from district judges concerning methods of cooperation and ceremonial procedures that they have used.

Following the receipt of a favorable reply from Chief Justice Stone, Justice Miller wrote to many United State district judges in different parts of the country, asking them for information regarding the procedures and practices in their naturalization courts and for suggestions. The replies received were generally in favor of the suggestion, approved by the Chief Justice, "to emphasize the dignity and solemnity of the procedure for naturalizing our new citizens." In addition, many valuable suggestions were furnished for improving citizenship induction. The data in these letters were reinforced and supplemented by the New Citizens Day File of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, which contains many reports on naturalization proceedings throughout the country.

In some instances, both letters and file revealed notable improvement in citizenship ceremonies; in other instances, they disclosed a real need for improvement. Most heartening was the genuine desire many judges expressed in their letters on the subject to achieve the purpose of the joint resolution of dignifying and emphasizing the significance of citizenship.

At the request of the Chief Justice, the subject of more impressive procedures for admission to United States citizenship through naturalization was put on the agenda for consideration by the Conference of Senior Circuit Judges in their Judicial Conference, September Session 1942. In his address to the Conference, the Honorable Francis Biddle, Attorney General of the United States, "stressed the importance of conducting proceedings in naturalization cases in a more dignified manner than is generally the case at

present, and urged that all district courts should regularly entertain petitions for naturalization."

6

The action taken by the Senior Judges is described in the following excerpt from a report of the Conference:

Naturalization Proceedings: The conference thought it desirable that the dignity and importance of admission to United States citizenship through naturalization should be stressed in all naturalization proceedings. It therefore adopted the following resolution:

"That all Federal judges be requested to aid in whatever manner possible in carrying out the joint resolution of Congress of May 3, 1940, 54 Stat. 178, and in enhancing the dignity of all stages of the naturalization proceedings." 7

The 1952 resolution quoted previously changed the day of the commemoration of United States citizenship to September 17 of each year, the anniversary of the signing of the Constitution of the United States, and designated such date as Citizenship Day.

6

Report of The Judicial Conference, September Session 1942, p. 3. 'Ibid, p. 15.

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