E PLURIBUS

US Flag Reinvented To Reflect Immigrant Heritage

New Patriotic Star Stamp Coming in 2013

USCIS 100:97. Why does the flag have 50 stars?

In 2013, USPS will continue its long tradition of patriotism with the release of the Patriotic Star stamp. (read more)

USCIS 100:97. Why does the flag have 50 stars?*

▪ because there is one star for each state
▪ because each star represents a state
▪ because there are 50 states

West Wing Week: 12/28/12 or "Best of the West (Wing Week)"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 12/28/12 or "Best of the West (Wing Week)"

Welcome to the "Best of the West (Wing Week)!" That's right, folks, West Wing Week took some time over the holidays to reflect on a busy year in video, and to bring you some highlights from the archive. But first, a quick wrap up of the President's week.

Obama Named Time's Person of the Year

USCIS 100:28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?

VOAVideo: Obama Named Time's Person of the Year

Time Magazine has named President Barack Obama its "Person of the Year" for 2012, following a tumultuous year in U.S. politics. Mr. Obama won re-election after a hard-fought campaign against Republican Mitt Romney. But the president has no shortage of challenges awaiting him in a second term, as we hear from VOA national correspondent Jim Malone.

USCIS 100:28. What is the name of the President of the United States now?*

▪ Barack Obama
▪ Obama

USCS 100:10 Freedom of Religion

MP3 USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

· You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

PDF USCIS 100:10. M638 Quick Civic Lesson, more historical background, USPS stamps, and dictation!

1. New Year Day is January 1st.

2. New York City was the first capital of the United States

3. You are free to practice any religion or not practice a religion.

(originally posted Thursday, February 3, 2011)

Washington Crossing the Delaware, Christmas Night 1776

Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emmanuel Leutze, 1861

uscitizenpod: A brief history (and puzzle) of Washington Crossing the Delaware, Christmas Night 1776 (download pdf)

Holidays at the White House 2012

wh.com: Holidays at the White House 2012

Go behind the scenes as volunteers decorate the White House for the holidays. See Bo inspect the decorations, the 2012 White House Menorah, holiday ginger crinkles recipe from the White House pastry chef and more at http://www.whitehouse.gov/holidays

White House Time-Lapse: The 2012 Gingerbread Dough White House

wh.gov: White House Time-Lapse: The 2012 Gingerbread Dough White House

Happy Holidays America!! http://www.whitehouse.gov/holidays

Senator Kerry Has Extensive Foreign Policy Credentials

USCIS 100:36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

VOAVideo: Senator Kerry Has Extensive Foreign Policy Credentials

President Barack Obama's expected choice to lead the State Department after Hillary Clinton's departure, Democratic Senator John Kerry, has vast experience on the world stage gained through a lifetime of public service. VOA Senate correspondent Michael Bowman has more in this report.

USCIS 100:36. What are two Cabinet-level positions?

▪ Secretary of Agriculture
▪ Secretary of Commerce
▪ Secretary of Defense
▪ Secretary of Education
▪ Secretary of Energy
▪ Secretary of Health and Human Services
▪ Secretary of Homeland Security
▪ Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
▪ Secretary of the Interior
▪ Secretary of Labor
▪ Secretary of State
▪ Secretary of Transportation
▪ Secretary of the Treasury
▪ Secretary of Veterans Affairs
▪ Attorney General
▪ Vice President

Implementation of New USCIS Immigrant Fee Feb. 1

Implementation of New USCIS Immigrant Fee Feb. 1

New fee allows USCIS to recover the costs of processing immigrant visas after individuals receive their visa packages from the Department of State abroad.

On Feb. 1, 2013,U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin collecting a new USCIS Immigrant Fee of $165 from foreign nationals seeking permanent residence in the United States. This new fee was established in USCIS’s final rule adjusting fees for immigration applications and petitions announced on Sept. 24, 2010.

Who Needs to Pay the Fee

Any individual who on or after February 1, 2013 receives an immigrant visa package from a United States consulate or embassy abroad (including Canada and Mexico) will pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee.

(read more)

West Wing Week: 12/21/12 or "We Are There For Them"

wh.gov: West Wing Week: 12/21/12 or "We Are There For Them"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President addressed the national tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut, and promised meaningful action to address gun violence, while the White House invited some of its newest Pinterest followers, and the President spread some holiday cheer.

WHY?

NEWTOWN, CT – DECEMBER 18: A sign hangs near a cemetery where shooting victim Jessica Rekos was to be buried on December 18, 2012 in Newtown, Connecticut. Credit: Getty Images 

The 2012 White House Menorah

Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish holiday.

wh.gov: The 2012 White House Menorah

The 2012 White House Menorah is from Temple Israel in Long Beach, New York and a survivor of the damage inflicted by Hurricane Sandy.


USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

CITIZENSHIP TEST: Lê Thị Hiệp (Đà Lạt, Vietnam)

CITIZENSHIP TEST: Lê Thị Hiệp (Đà Lạt, Vietnam)

Prepare for your citizenship interview with a multiple choice test about Lê Thị Hiệp's interview and 10 USCIS questions.

This quiz was inspired by my students from Vietnam--I am so thankful for all of my students!

(download pdf)

Killing of US School Children Sparks Gun Control Discussion

US Constitution Second Amendment

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, 
the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

VOAVideo: Killing of US School Children Sparks Gun Control Discussion

Friday's mass shooting in a Connecticut elementary school has again sparked a national discussion about gun control. While arms possession enjoys constitutional protection premised on the need to protect the security of a free state, thousands of Americans die every year because of gun violence. VOA Correspondent Peter Fedynsky looks at the issue from the point of view of the town reeling from the latest incidence of such violence.

USCIS 100:51. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?

▪ freedom of expression
▪ freedom of speech
▪ freedom of assembly
▪ freedom to petition the government
▪ freedom of worship
▪ the right to bear arms

Flag of Honor

President Obama Makes a Statement on the Shooting in Newtown, Connecticut

VOANews: 26 Dead in Connecticut School Shooting

President Obama Makes a Statement on the Shooting in Newtown, Connecticut

President Obama delivers a statement on today's shooting at a school in Newtown, Connecticut. December 14, 2012. (transcript)

THE PRESIDENT: This afternoon, I spoke with Governor Malloy and FBI Director Mueller. I offered Governor Malloy my condolences on behalf of the nation, and made it clear he will have every single resource that he needs to investigate this heinous crime, care for the victims, counsel their families.

We’ve endured too many of these tragedies in the past few years. And each time I learn the news I react not as a President, but as anybody else would -- as a parent. And that was especially true today. I know there’s not a parent in America who doesn’t feel the same overwhelming grief that I do.

The majority of those who died today were children -- beautiful little kids between the ages of 5 and 10 years old. They had their entire lives ahead of them -- birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own. Among the fallen were also teachers -- men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfill their dreams.

So our hearts are broken today -- for the parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children, and for the families of the adults who were lost. Our hearts are broken for the parents of the survivors as well, for as blessed as they are to have their children home tonight, they know that their children’s innocence has been torn away from them too early, and there are no words that will ease their pain.

As a country, we have been through this too many times. Whether it’s an elementary school in Newtown, or a shopping mall in Oregon, or a temple in Wisconsin, or a movie theater in Aurora, or a street corner in Chicago -- these neighborhoods are our neighborhoods, and these children are our children. And we're going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this, regardless of the politics.

This evening, Michelle and I will do what I know every parent in America will do, which is hug our children a little tighter and we’ll tell them that we love them, and we’ll remind each other how deeply we love one another. But there are families in Connecticut who cannot do that tonight. And they need all of us right now. In the hard days to come, that community needs us to be at our best as Americans. And I will do everything in my power as President to help.

Because while nothing can fill the space of a lost child or loved one, all of us can extend a hand to those in need -- to remind them that we are there for them, that we are praying for them, that the love they felt for those they lost endures not just in their memories but also in ours.

May God bless the memory of the victims and, in the words of Scripture, heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds.

********************************************************************************

WE PETITION THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TO: Immediately address the issue of gun control through the introduction of legislation in Congress

West Wing Week: 12/14/12 or "True to Ourselves and Our History"

West Wing Week: 12/14/12 or "True to Ourselves and Our History"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the First Family attended the annual Christmas in Washington concert, the Vice President talked #My2k over lunch with middle-class Americans and attended the Army Navy football game with Dr. Biden, while the President signed the Child Protection Act into law, visited the Daimler Detroit Diesel plant, joined conference calls with Latino leaders and Mayors, and invited regional television reporters to the White House for a series of interviews.

New Music Icons Series of Stamps Debuts in Early 2013 With Lydia Mendoza

In 2013, the U.S. Postal Service will kick off its new Music Icons series with this stamp honoring Lydia Mendoza (1916–2007), one of the first and greatest stars of Tejano music: (read more)

USCIS 100:93. Name one state that borders Mexico.

▪ California
▪ Arizona
▪ New Mexico
▪ Texas

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Virgen de Tepeyac,


Patroness of the Americas,


Mother Without Borders,


PRAY FOR US!

CITIZENSHIP TEST: Mok Kit-Ching (Hong Kong)

CITIZENSHIP TEST: Mok Kit-Ching (Hong Kong)

Prepare for your citizenship interview with a multiple choice test about Mok Kit-Ching's interview and 10 USCIS questions.

This quiz was inspired by my students from Hong Kong--I am so thankful for all of my students!

(download pdf)

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Day

For more info, visit Human Rights Action Center or
Universal Declaration of Human Rights - Simple English Wikipedia ...

You just watched a video about the Universal declaration of Human Rights.
USCIS 100:9. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

▪ life
▪ liberty
▪ pursuit of happiness

New US Congress is Most Diverse in History

USCIS 100:23. Name your U.S. Representative.

VOAVideo: New US Congress is Most Diverse in History

New US legislators - those taking office for the first time in January - are more diverse than at any other time in U.S. history. Barriers have been broken on ethnicity, sexual orientation and religion. In fact, among the 200 Democratic representatives, women and those of various minorities will outnumber straight white males. VOA's Carolyn Presutti introduces us to a few of the history-making lawmakers in a Congress that will more closely reflect the people who live in the United States.

USCIS 100:23. Name your U.S. Representative.

▪Answers will vary. [Residents of territories with nonvoting Delegates or Resident Commissioners may provide the name of that Delegate or Commissioner. Also acceptable is any statement that the territory has no (voting) Representatives in Congress.]

National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?



The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception located in Washington, D.C., honors Mary, the mother of Jesus, as Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Patroness of the United States and celebrates the diversity of the American Catholicism. As a Roman Catholic, I am proud to share my religious and cultural heritage that informs my work as an ESL/Citizenship teacher. (take a virtual tour)

USCIS 100:10. What is freedom of religion?

▪ You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

West Wing Week: 12/07/12 or "I Have To Pinch Myself"

wh.gov West Wing Week: 12/07/12 or "I Have To Pinch Myself"

Welcome to the West Wing Week, your guide to everything that's happening at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. This week, the President visited a toy factory, hosted Kennedy Center Honorees, held the 2012 White House Tribal Nations Conference, welcomed the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, answered questions live on twitter, spoke on National Security achievements, visited a family who had written the White House, and lit the National Christmas Tree. That's November 30th to December 6th or "I Have to Pinch Myself."

USPS Goes Global With 2013 International Rate Stamp

USPS 100:90. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

USPS Goes Global With 2013 International Rate Stamp

Here is the 2013 international rate stamp USPS Global Forever®. With this stamp you’ll be able to mail a 1-ounce First-Class Mail International letter anywhere in the world. The stamp shows the Atlantic Ocean flanked by the Americas, Africa, and part of northern Europe.  (read more)

USPS 100:90. What ocean is on the East Coast of the United States?

▪ Atlantic (Ocean)

Rosa Parks, Civil Rights Pioneer, To Be Honored With Stamp in 2013

USCIS 100:84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?

Rosa Parks, Civil Rights Pioneer, To Be Honored With Stamp in 2013

Fifty-seven years ago this month, Rosa Parks was arrested after refusing to give up her seat at the front of the Cleveland Avenue bus in Montgomery, Alabama. The response to her arrest was a boycott of Montgomery’s bus system that lasted 381 days and thrust a young local pastor, Martin Luther King, Jr., into the spotlight. (read more)

USCIS 100:84. What movement tried to end racial discrimination?
▪ civil rights (movement)

USCIS 100:85. What did Martin Luther King, Jr. do?*
▪ fought for civil rights
▪ worked for equality for all Americans

CITIZENSHIP TEST: Tasanee Rungteranoon (Bangkok, Thailand)

Prepare for your citizenship interview with a multiple choice test about Tasanee Rungteranoon's interview and 10 USCIS questions. This quiz was inspired by my students from Thailand--I am so thankful for all of my students!

Download CITIZENSHIP TEST: Tasanee Rungteranoon (Bangkok, Thailand)

2013 Emancipation Proclamation Stamp Revealed

2013 Emancipation Proclamation Stamp Revealed

USPS will commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared that all slaves in the rebel states of the Confederacy “are, and henceforward shall be free.” (read more)

USCIS 100:75. What was one important thing that Abraham Lincoln did?*
▪ freed the slaves (Emancipation Proclamation)
▪ saved (or preserved) the Union
▪ led the United States during the Civil War

USCIS 100:76. What did the Emancipation Proclamation do?
▪ freed the slaves
▪ freed slaves in the Confederacy
▪ freed slaves in the Confederate states

White House Time-Lapse: Raising the Commemorative HIV/AIDS Red Ribbon

wh.gov: White House Time-Lapse: Raising the Commemorative HIV/AIDS Red Ribbon

To recognize World AIDS Days, the White House installed a commemorative Red Ribbon on the north portico of the house. Go to http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/onap to learn more on how the administration is working towards an AIDS-free generation