Page 15 - spring 2019

Friends oF red rock canyon 15

“As a citi- of dinosaurs. Behind them are grey moun-
zen, you have tains that touch the bluebird sky. Amaz-
the right to ingly they once were at the bottom of the
criticize the ocean. Walk there and you will find fossils
government,” of sea creatures and coral.
he explained.
“You have the Spend time in Red Rock at dawn or dusk
right to say and you might encounter deer, roadrun-
that Congress ners, quail, coyote, even big horn sheep.
should al- Look up and you might see bats and owls
locate more across the scarlet sky.”
resources to Young and Dix emphasized the very
protecting and
Setting up for the event special experience these new citizens
making avail- were sharing with their families. They
able great natural resources like this one could have been sworn in at a federal
(at Red Rock Canyon National Conserva- court house, but on this day – as occurs
tion Area). You have the right to disagree once a year – Judge Gordon formally
with the President’s policies. You have the turned the Visitor Cen-
right to say that our judges ter into an official court
are too lenient or too severe ”You don’t have to give up the room that underscored
in their sentences. past for the future… the vast possibilities of
Master the English America.
“But, you also have an language, but also
obligation to do something keep and preserve “I can assure you that
about it. Don’t just criticize; your native tongue.” what you see before
get involved in the process you is so much better
and change what you don’t because of the work
like.” of these two organiza-

Shari Young, vice presi- tions,” said Gordon,
dent of Friends of Red who shared his own
Rock Canyon, pointed to experiences as a young-
the Calico Hills shimmering Judge Andrew P. Gordon ster roaming the hills
in late morning light. “This and canyons with his
truly is your land,” she said. “Now, you brothers. “Get involved
join us as caretakers and stewards. It’s one and support Red Rock,” he encouraged the
of our obligations as citizens, to preserve new citizens.
and protect Red Rock for the generations “Fidelity,
to come.” Allegiance, these

She was joined all morning by many were words you
Friends volunteers working a wide range just pronounced
of jobs from traffic controllers to greeters when you took
to servers of coffee, snacks and a celebra- your oath,” said
tory cake for the new citizens. Jeanne Kent, Field
Office Director of
Cody Dix, a naturalist with Southern Ne- the U.S. Customs
vada Conservancy, welcomed the new and Immigration
citizens to “...my office. Behind me is one Service in Las
of the most spectacular sights you will Vegas.
ever see, giant sand dunes during the time Admiring their Citizenship Certification

(Continued on page 16)

Spring 2019