Editor’s Observe: U.S. Deputy Chief Technnology Officer for Information Coverage and Chief Information Scientist DJ Patil spoke to a gaggle of our latest residents at a Naturalization Ceremony in Dallas, Texas this morning. The next are his remarks as ready.
Good morning everybody! Thanks Officer Mouse, Performing District Director Tarango and Performing Subject Workplace Director Enis.
And most of all, thanks to my newly minted, fellow Individuals! Our latest residents, I’m honored to be right here and share on this special occasion with all of you.
I’d like to start out with comedian e-book superheroes. All superheroes have an ‘origin story’ which is the back-story that reveals how a personality or a gaggle of individuals got here to the place they’re now. For instance, Superman’s origin story is about being an immigrant—from one other planet, after all. And let’s not miss Marvel Lady, she’s additionally an immigrant. Each got here right here as outsiders to assist struggle for peace, justice, and liberty.
The origin story of this nation begins with the Native Individuals. And now, our shared nation is the story of immigrants. For greater than 200 years now, we’ve been constructing our energy as a nation by means of immigration. Identical to a household, as a nation, we’ve had good instances and unhealthy. Simpler instances and tougher instances. However, by means of our collective efforts, we’ve persevered. Due to you we are going to proceed to create a various nation with all kinds of concepts, heritage, faith, and even meals.
And there have been questions concerning the worth of immigration. A query of if the entire is larger than the sum of its components? Each time this has occurred, we’ve determined as a nation that immigration is our superpower. And the outcomes have benefited all of us.
In 2016, Nobel Prizes got to six scientists at American universities, in Chemistry, in Physics, and in Economics. The frequent thread? All 6 of those scientists have been born exterior of america.
Corporations like Intel, YouTube, Google, and Tesla are creating the economic system of the long run. What do they share? All have been based or co-founded by immigrants. The truth is, of the US-based startups that have been valued at $1 billion or extra in 2016, half have been based or co-founded by immigrants.
And me. The explanation this occasion is so particular for me, is that I’m an immigrant. I used to be born in New Delhi, India. I immigrated to america once I was younger. We moved to Boston, the place my father was a professor. An immigrant professor who would go on to create a dozen corporations. Later in my life, I met the girl who was to be my spouse. She too, an immigrant. Now we have two children. They’re each youngsters of immigrants. And I wouldn’t wish to increase them wherever else. So, that is deeply private to me.
Just a little over a 12 months in the past, President Obama gave remarks at an occasion like this. Whereas he’s a tough act to observe, he is a wonderful act to mimic. I’m going to borrow a few of his phrases right here. He stated:
The reality is, being an American is tough. Being a part of a democratic authorities is tough. Being a citizen is tough. It’s a problem. It’s purported to be. There’s no respite from our beliefs. All of us are referred to as to stay as much as our expectations for ourselves — not simply when it’s handy, however when it’s inconvenient. When it’s powerful. After we’re afraid. The strain all through our historical past between welcoming or rejecting the stranger, it’s about extra than simply immigration. It’s concerning the that means of America, what sort of nation will we wish to be. It’s concerning the capability of every era to honor the creed as outdated as our founding: “E Pluribus Unum” — that out of many, we’re one.
We even have one other saying on the White Home that comes from our President: #YesWeCan. We are saying it when issues are exhausting. When issues are powerful. It’s a rallying cry that we aren’t frightened of the long run. That #YesWeCan construct the long run.
You have got simply taken an oath and dedicated to creating this nation your private home. My nation is now your nation. My youngsters’s nation is now your youngsters’s nation. That is our nation. You have got stepped ahead to face up for the beliefs, values, and carry the nation ahead. You might be every superheroes with your personal origin tales. Now, your origin story, my origin story, and the county’s origin story all turn into our origin story.
Every little thing we do must be infused with the sense of risk.
After I see the challenges we face, I wouldn’t have concern. I’ve hope. As a result of I’m right here, as we speak, with you: fellow residents with a shared bond solid below the identical pledge including to the wealthy basis of this nation. As a result of collectively we will. #YesWeCan.
Thanks. Might God bless you. And should God bless america of America.