The 31st Ellis Island Medals of Honor Ceremony is about to begin. @NECO_org will award 90 honorees at a gala on the island tonight #EIMoHpic.twitter.com/cyoTWa4Nhv
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After a procession of honorees and the national anthem, the ceremony is underway
#EIMoHpic.twitter.com/w253Nr6ucw
Recipients represent 37 nationalities this year, among them are @IndraNooyi, @hamdiulukaya, Sherry Lansing, @JohnKasich, @TheRealBuzz #EIMoh
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Nearly 40% of Americans can trace their origins in this country back to Ellis Island, according to an official from the museum here
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Nasser J. Kazemin, chairman of @NECO_org, welcomes guests and wishes
@JohnKasich a happy birthday#EIMoH -
"We are living in incredible times," Kazemin says. "Today immigration is one of the most important issues facing our nation."
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"I do not believe that America & immigration can ever be torn apart... it is diversity that gives us strength," Kazemin says
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The @NECO_org chairman thanks the honorees and asks them to "Help us build a more inclusive and peaceful world."
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"Where else can you find a gathering like this where we're coming together to celebrate our heritage as immigrants?" says
@IndraNooyi#EIMoH -
"Only in America,"
@IndraNooyi continues, remarking that in many ways she and her husband have lived the American dream#EIMoH -
"I'll continue to do everything I can to deliver that dream to all Americans,"
@IndraNooyi says#EIMoH -
Growing up in India,
@FareedZakaria says his only window into America was 'I Love Lucy' which came on once a week#EIMoH -
The thing that will always keep America distinct is its immigrant origins
@FareedZakaria says#EIMoH -
In this country it's about your efforts not your origins,
@FareedZakaria says#EIMoH -
"This medal is symbolic of strength, equality, & opportunity," says Lt General Ronald Bailey speaking on behalf of military honorees
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We need an awakening in America to realize that we do better when God sits on the throne and not man, says
@JohnKasich#EIMoH -
If you love your neighbor as you love yourself you could never turn their boats away,
@JohnKasich says#EIMoH -
In the US, we are the best when we work together. If we remember that we will never be defeated,
@JohnKasich says#EIMoH -
Immigrants immeasurably enrich American life, says Victoria Reggie Kennedy, widow of Senator Ted Kennedy
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CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting says she's proud to work for an org telling stories of increasingly diverse Americans
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Scientific research all over the world benefits immensely from international exchange, says CRISPR researcher Emmanuelle Charpentier
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The last honoree comments of the evening are from
@TheRealBuzz who begins by describing himself as "a proud Jersey boy"#EIMoHpic.twitter.com/1QAbfPteX2
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"I am actively working on the future every day," says
@TheRealBuzz as he discusses plans for travel to Mars#EIMoH -
"It is our nature to explore. We explore or we expire,"
@TheRealBuzz says#EIMoH (cc@elonmusk) -
"There is no dream too high for those with their eyes in the sky," says
@TheRealBuzz, "I am living proof."#EIMoH
End of conversation
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