HAMMOND | U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul Cherry told 47 citizens-to-be Friday that immigrants come to the United States for many reasons but that it is their "hard work and sacrifice" that make the nation great.

Under a perfect blue sky at Harrison Park, the black-robed judge quoted Abraham Lincoln to remind them of their responsibility to work to ensure that "government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the Earth."

Twenty minutes later, newly sworn-in citizen Claudia Rodriguez wasted no time in getting to work. She grabbed a voter registration form from the League of Women Voters and filled it out.

"I want to vote so I can make a difference in this country," she said, as her 2-year-old scampered in the grass.

"To me, it's so important to vote and it should be for everyone in this country," chimed in husband Jose Rodriguez, who became a citizen nine years ago.

It's not an easy process becoming a citizen, but it was worth it, Claudia Rodriguez said.

"Before the exam I was so nervous," she said, referring to the exam given by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. "Because you don't know what questions they will ask. You have to read like a hundred pages before you take it."

Families seated in two bleachers and others seated on grass in front of the band shell at the park looked on as the immigrants from 15 countries were sworn in.

Each person taking the citizenship oath held a red, white or blue carnation provided by the Daughters of the American Revolution and a small U.S. flag.

Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. and Public Library Director Margaret Evans welcomed the new citizens to the naturalization ceremony with short remarks before the U.S. District Court session was convened.

Court Chief Deputy Clerk Peggy Guernsey administered the oath in which the new citizens pledge to defend their country. Hammond's American Legion Victory Post provided the honor guard. Five members of the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Council led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Valentina Petkovich was there to watch and snap pictures as brother, Dejan Lukich, was sworn in as a citizen. They both came from Serbia in the former Yugoslavia, which has been wracked by war.

"That's why we came to the United States, to start all over," Petkovich said. "We think this is the place that is the best."