June 9, 2004
For Immediate Release
Contact: Dan Gwadosky
(207) 626-8400

Secretary of State to Address Students and
Lead Recitation of Citizenship Oath During
Ceremony in South Portland on Thursday

AUGUSTA, MAINE -- Secretary of State Dan A. Gwadosky will participate in a special Mock Citizenship Ceremony on Thursday, June 10th, beginning at 1:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Memorial Middle School in South Portland.

Secretary Gwadosky will lead 7th grade students in reciting the Citizenship Oath. He will then discuss the meaning of citizenship—emphasizing the importance of active civic participation among all citizens.

As part of a new curriculum developed to incorporate the Maine Learning Results, South Portland’s 7th grade Social Studies teachers adopted successful completion of the U.S. Citizenship Test as a common assessment. Thursday’s special ceremony is the culmination of that process. This effort is part of a larger unit studying the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights and the United States Constitution.

Secretary Gwadosky is expected to be joined by State Representative Larry Bliss, who will also give remarks. The press is invited to attend the ceremony.