Congressman Salud Carbajal, center, poses for a group photo with 12 area residents who received Certificates of Congressional Recognition at Saturday's Citizenship Recognition Ceremony at the Santa Maria Public Library.
Luis Jasso, of Santa Maria, smiles after receiving a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Congressman Salud Carbajal at Saturday's Citizenship Recognition Ceremony at the Santa Maria Public Library.
Claudia Brenda Valdez, of Lompoc, holds her Certificate of Congressional Recognition at Saturday's Citizenship Recognition Ceremony at the Santa Maria Public Library.
Congressman Salud Carbajal, left, presents a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition to Esteban Perez Alfaro, of Santa Maria, at Saturday's Citizenship Recognition Ceremony at the Santa Maria Public Library.
Milania Espinoza, of Santa Maria, sings the national anthem during Saturday's itizenship Recognition Ceremony at the Santa Maria Public Library.
Congressman Salud Carbajal recounts his own experience becoming a U.S. citizen during the Citizenship Recognition Ceremony at the Santa Maria Public Library on Saturday.
Ofelia Galvez, of Santa Maria, holds her hand over her heart during the singing of the national anthem during the Citizenship Recognition Ceremony at the Santa Maria Public Library on Saturday. Galvez received a special congressional certificate of appreciation.
Juan Alcorta, 3, is held by his mother, Loreto Morales, as he takes photos at Saturday's Citizenship Recognition Ceremony at the Santa Maria Public Library.
Santa Barbara County residents were celebrated Saturday for becoming U.S. citizens with two separate ceremonies in Santa Maria and Santa Barbara.
Angelica Santibanez, of Santa Maria, waves the American flag as she holds her Certificate of Congressional Recognition at Saturday's Citizenship Recognition Ceremony at the Santa Maria Public Library.
The second Citizenship Recognition Ceremonies, which began last year, honored those who took their citizenship oath between July 2017 and September 2018, were hosted by Congressman Salud Carbajal, 24th District Representative for California.
"For many immigrants, including myself, attaining U.S. citizenship is the realization of a dream held by all those who came to the United States in search of a better life for themselves and their families," Carbajal said.
"Our nation's greatness is strengthened in this shared rite of passage. One of the proudest moments of my life was the day I took my oath of allegiance to this great nation and I am honored to join these new citizens on the Central Coast to celebrate this patriotic achievement."
Congressman Salud Carbajal speaks during the Citizenship Recognition Ceremony at the Santa Maria Public Library on Saturday.
The Santa Barbara ceremony kicked off at 9:30 a.m. at the Santa Barbara Public Library's Faulkner Gallery and Santa Maria's celebration was held at 5:30 p.m. at Lavagnino Plaza in front of the Santa Maria Public Library.
Gina Kim covers crime and courts for Santa Maria Times. Follow her on Twitter @gina_k210
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Gina Kim
Courts/Public Safety Reporter
