CLARKSBURG, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) made two stops in Clarksburg, W.Va. today, delivering the keynote address at a naturalization ceremony welcoming 20 new United States citizens, and visiting a locally owned and operated bakery.
During her first stop at the U.S. District Court, Senator Capito joined Judge Thomas Kleeh and other officials where she spoke to 20 new United States citizens and their families in attendance, and helped hand out their certificates of citizenship. The new citizens represented 14 different countries.
“From India to Honduras to the Congo and elsewhere, you have come from nearly every corner of the world, united in the shared belief that in the United States your future can be anything you want it to be,” Senator Capito said to the group. “I want to thank you and your families for all the sacrifices, courage, patience, persistence, and commitment to this process. It’s both a testament to the promise of our great nation, and also to your character, in committing to America and its laws. You earned it, and I am honored to help officially welcome you, my fellow citizens, to the United States.”
Senator Capito then visited Roger and Mazza’s Italian Bakery for a tour of the locally owned pepperoni roll factory. During the pandemic, the bakery was a recipient of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funds. Roger Mazza founded the company in the 1950s. His stepsons, Dennis and Michael, along with George Rogers, the current owner, now run the bakery. The business currently has more than 40 employees, most of which have been with the company for more than two decades.
“For more than 60 years, Roger and Mazza’s has been a mainstay in the local community, producing some of the best pepperoni rolls around,” Senator Capito said. “Today’s visit highlighted not only the importance of PPP funding that helped small businesses across West Virginia, but also the resilience of the owners and employees to make it through the pandemic. Unfortunately, Roger and Mazza’s, like many other small businesses, are struggling to fill jobs, and it’s critical the federal government stop incentivizing folks to stay home rather than look for work.”
Photos from today’s visit:
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) speaks to new U.S. citizens at a naturalization ceremony in Clarksburg, W.Va. on Friday, June 11, 2021.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) presents a citizen certificate to a new U.S. citizen at a naturalization ceremony in Clarksburg, W.Va. on Friday, June 11, 2021.
U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) speaks with the owners and employees at Roger and Mazza’s bakery in Clarksburg, W.Va. on Friday, June 11, 2021.
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