The Louisville Field Office combined a Fair Housing Month event with a "Welcome Home" outreach to 73 new American citizens from 23 countries around the world. The HUD office is located in Gene Snyder Federal Court House, where naturalization proceedings frequently take place, and the director of HUD's Louisville Fair Housing Program Center, Sue Darling, recognized the opportunity to combine service and ceremony as part of their April celebration.

As the Land of the Free, America always has been a beacon for men, women and children from around the world. By taking the initiative and becoming part of the naturalization ceremony in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky, HUD was able to say "Welcome Home" to new United States citizens from Canada, Iraq, Jamaica, Korea, the Philippines, Senegal, Viet Nam, China, Palestine, India, Uzbekistan, Somalia, Haiti, Jordan, Germany, Laos, Kampuchea, Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, Syria, and Bosnia-Herzegovina!

There are significant immigrant communities in Louisville and elsewhere in Kentucky, representing Asian, Far East, Latin and Spanish nations among others. One of the individuals receiving U.S. citizenship that day was Lisette Beausejour of Haiti. Mrs. Beausejour has resided in America for more than eight years with her husband Dominique (who had previously received citizenship) and their children. Charlie David, a retired HUD Equal Opportunity Specialist and Catholic Charities volunteer, also was present to celebrate with Lisette and Dominique: in his volunteer work, Mr. David has provided support and guidance to the family since their arrival in Louisville.

Donna Dudgeon, Mrs. Beausejour, Ms Darling, and a Louisville Son of the American Revolution.

During the ceremony the new citizens received congratulations from John G. Heyburn II, Chief Justice of the U.S. District Court (who presided over the naturalization ceremony), as well as representatives from local immigrant, patriotic, voter and other community groups. HUD took the opportunity to congratulate the residents and also "Welcome them Home" by explaining their rights under the Fair Housing Act - to live free from housing discrimination. Following the ceremony, Ms Darling and Donna Dudgeon, Equal Opportunity Specialist, presented Fair Housing materials to everyone in attendance while saying to each new citizen, "Welcome Home," which is this year's theme for Fair Housing Month.