Jose got sworn in as an American citizen, and as he walked out of the auditorium, he held up a voter registration paper and hollered over to me, "This is the reason I wanted to be a citizen!"

His big smile said it all — proud to be an American.

I was not only bursting with joy for him, but for myself for being an American.

While sitting through the ceremony, I thought of my immigrant parents and the struggles they went through in fleeing their homeland, seeking a better life for their family. I was thinking that each participant had a similar story to tell — a story of strife, fear of the unknown, but hoping, "con la voluntad de Dios," (God willing) for a better tomorrow.

Seeing each of the participants enter the auditorium, heads held high, and waving their papers to friends and family in the balcony, was like watching loved ones get married and living that moment with them.

If only all of us born in America could see the pride the applicants demonstrated with their smiles, we would all feel just as blessed as they were on this special day. Most enlightening was the drive of each person in his or her desire to become an American, and how they struggled through unfamiliar territory to reach their goal.

People from many nations waited courteously and patiently for their turn in the long, slow-moving line through which each had to pass to obtain the necessary documents for the swearing in. They would soon share a common bond as American citizens; and I wished Americans would share another common bond with them — patience and courtesy to one another. If we could only bottle this way of treating each other, what a great world it would be.

It was wonderful to watch them run out to hug their supporters. The pride these new Americans had showing their certificate was like watching high school graduation day.

Probably the most revealing thing I learned that day was what a Mexican just sworn in as an American wants to eat to celebrate his citizenship — Chinese food!

The new American debriefed me, talking fast about how blessed he was to be able to vote and participate in America just like everyone else.

He talked about how America is the land of opportunity and of how anyone who is willing to work can become anything he wants to become. He was most proud of being able to have his yardwork and the fact that his soon-to-be teen daughter could see the American dream unfold before her eyes through desire and hard work.

I don't know that he'll ever own a big company, because money doesn't mean much to him; but he does pride himself in being able to fix his home for his family, take care of his own yard, and go to church.

How American is that? With new Americans like Jose, the American dream is in good hands.

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Utah native John Florez has founded several Hispanic civil rights organizations, served on the staff of Sen. Orrin Hatch and on more than 45 state, local and volunteer boards. He also has been deputy assistant secretary of labor. E-mail: jdflorez@comcast.net