Court Commemorates Independence Day with Naturalization Ceremony

Back row from left are Magistrate Judge Joaquin V.E. Manibusan, Jr., and Chief District Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood, and in front is Ms. Marilyn Alcon, naturalization clerk

The United States District Court for the District of Guam held a naturalization ceremony in celebration of Independence Day.  Held July 3, 2013, the court welcomed 38 new citizens, who are from the countries of China, the Federated States of Micronesia, Italy, Philippines, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.  Chief District Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood made welcoming remarks and administered the Oath of Allegiance while Magistrate Judge Joaquin V.E. Manibusan, Jr., led the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. “I am honored to be a part of this special Independence Day Naturalization Ceremony and celebrate with 38 new naturalized citizens the 237^th birthday of our nation,” said Judge Tydingco-Gatewood.

 

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Central District of California Welcomes Student Groups

As the school year winds down and the summer break approaches, May is typically a busy month for educational outreach activities at the United States District Court for the Central District of California.  Several judges in the Western Division welcomed students from local area schools for mock trials and educational programs in May, including the following:  

On May 15, approximately 50 third-grade students and two teachers from Wilmington Park Elementary School visited the Spring Street Courthouse for a discussion with Senior District Judge Terry J. Hatter, Jr., and a presentation by the U.S. Marshals Service in Judge Hatter’s courtroom.  The students also visited Judge Hatter’s chambers.

 

On May 17, approximately 25 fifth-graders from Utah Street Elementary School visited the Spring Street Courthouse for a mock trial presided over by District Judge S. James Otero in his courtroom.  The mock trial served as the culmination of a year-long course on the criminal justice system presented by the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California.  After the mock trial, U.S. Attorney André Birotte, Jr., congratulated the students and presented them with their graduation certificates.  U.S. Attorney Birotte and several assistant U.S. attorneys who taught the course also spoke to the students about the benefits of an education and careers in the law and law enforcement over a pizza lunch at the U.S. attorney’s office.

On May 22, approximately two dozen 12th graders from Inglewood High School visited the Spring Street Courthouse as part of a new “We the Students” program sponsored by DLA Piper.  The event was hosted by Senior District Judge Consuelo B. Marshall in her courtroom, and District Judge Philip S. Gutierrez, U.S. Attorney André Birotte, Jr., and former U.S. Marshal and Inglewood High School alumnus Tony Perez spoke to the students about their respective career paths.  Following a visit to Judge Marshall’s chambers and a demonstration by her court recorder, the students who won a related essay contest read their winning essays and received their awards.

On May 23, a class of third-grade students from Mount Washington Elementary School visited the Spring Street Courthouse to participate in a mock trial presided over by Magistrate Judge Patrick J. Walsh.  After the mock trial, the students were treated to a pizza lunch by Judge Walsh.

"Bring Your Child to Work Day" at The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California

 

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California welcomed the children of staff from the Office of the U.S. Attorney and the Federal Defenders of San Diego Inc. for a day of fun and learning about the court system in which their parents work.

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