Publisher’s Letter

By John Knowles | March 2023

This year has already been quite memorable for me. In an Oath Ceremony in January, I became a US citizen—a major milestone in my life. This dream journey started in 1992 when I was offered US residency. I looked at various opportunities and locations including Oregon, Colorado, California, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Vermont. My sister, who is now a 30-year Floridian, chose this wonderful state, and I made the good decision to come here as well, but life situations caused me to wait until 2016. 

While I was born in Ireland, my family would eventually move to Canada; however, my other relatives were more prominent in the US than in Canada making my attraction to the US quite strong. Throughout my career, I saw distinct differences for opportunities for someone with my background in the US.  

What really stood out to me was the self-sufficiency of the American people. The scope of entrepreneurship in this country does not exist anywhere else in the world. It can have significant influences on family prosperity, and it can have a major impact on supporting philanthropic initiatives. Did you know that according to the Charities Aid Foundation’s World Giving Index in the last decade America was the world’s most generous country?  Not only do we give money, but 72% of Americans help strangers and 42% volunteer. We also grew more generous during the pandemic. Americans’ generosity cuts across religion, location, and age with nearly 60% of Americans giving money last year.  We respond to need, and we respond quickly. 

My experience living here has shown me just how philanthropic and supportive we are and that the “support your neighbor” culture is indeed alive and well. I was proud along with many others to support several initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. And as a small business owner, I was also fortunate to be the recipient of support. While the government Paycheck Protection Plan assistance had minimal effect on our survival, it was the help of other businesses that stepped up with advertising when things were most difficult that got us through those tough times. Many checked in on me when I had a terrible bout with COVID and continued to offer support. 

I want to give a shout out to Homeland Security (DHS) and US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS). They kept me informed during the whole citizenship process and when I called with questions, they took the time to answer and guide me to my next steps. On December 10, 2022, the day of my citizenship test, I was scheduled to fly to Canada at 1:30 p.m. to see my grandchildren. My test was at 8:30 a.m. Arriving in an Uber with all my luggage including presents for my grandchildren, I was not very popular with security. Security took everything apart and it took a lot of time, but I must say they took it in stride. 

It was getting late and well past my test appointment time, and while they did ask me about my travel timing, I still had to wait my turn. I was concerned about getting to the airport on time. Feeling anxious I waited until I was finally called by an officer that was sympathetic to my situation. She said she would be as efficient with the interview as possible. I was nervous and did not want to fail the test all the while thinking of my flight. Priorities, right? Ugh! I had studied for my test which was focused on civics and US history—you can ask any of my friends in Sarasota. I grilled everyone I knew on US history and the make-up of the government. I have to say all were very nice and supportive especially when they steered me to other topics of conversation. 

USCIS was addressing the backlog of people eligible to take part in the ceremony and rushed me into the great hall. When one of the agents asked where I was flying that afternoon, I said Canada. I was then ushered out of the great hall and left by myself while three agents had a private discussion. Thinking maybe I had failed my test (you think all kind of thoughts when you are anxious), I waited for someone to tell me the problem. Apparently, I could leave the country, but my paperwork would not have been submitted to allow me to return to the US despite now being a citizen. Their solution was that I could not participate in the Oath Ceremony after passing the test.  My official start to being a US citizen had to wait until my return from Canada.

After a wonderful visit with my grandsons Swift and Banks, on my return to Sarasota I received notice that my Oath Ceremony would be held on January 30, 2023. The ceremony in the great hall is everything you would expect from a prestigious occasion. It was my privilege and honor to recite the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States of America. 

The comments many of you have delivered on Facebook and in person have been truly heartwarming and so supportive. Many of you I have seen at events this past month have also acknowledged my major milestone (even those I don’t really know) and offered warm welcomes and congratulations. 

I could not imagine living anywhere else in the world. We live in a great country, a great state, and the most wonderful city anyone could ask for. I am truly home.

H John Knowles,

Publisher

john@scenesarasota.com