Washington: Describing America "a melting pot of cultures" from across the world, President George W Bush welcomed 72 new citizens from 30 countries, including India, on the occasion of the US Independence Day.
Among those sworn in as US citizens, six were from India, said Wayne Mogielnicki, the spokesman of Monticello in Virginia, where Bush made his final Independence Day appearance yesterday before the expiry of his tenure in January 2009.
There were originally seven persons from India on the list but one did not show up, Mogielnicki told repoters.
"We also honour Jefferson's legacy by welcoming newcomers to our land. And that is what we re here to celebrate today," Bush said referring to former President Thomas Jefferson, the principle author of the US declaration for independence. Monticello was Jefferson's estate.
Throughout the history of the US, immigrants from around the world set sail to its shores, he said adding, "these immigrants have helped transform 13 small colonies into a great and growing nation of more than 300 people."
"They made America a melting pot of cultures from all across the world. They made diversity one of the great strengths of our democracy. And all of us here today are here to honour and pay tribute to that great notion of America."
He said those taking the oath of citizenship represent many different ethnicities and races and religions, but have "one thing in common, and that is a shared love of freedom".
