Outstanding Americans by Choice

Image of an American by Choice Certificate

The Outstanding Americans by Choice initiative recognizes the outstanding achievements of naturalized U.S. citizens. Through civic participation, professional achievement, and responsible citizenship, recipients of this honor have demonstrated their commitment to this country and to the common civic values that unite us as Americans.

USCIS will recognize naturalized citizens who have made significant contributions to both their community and their adopted country on a case-by-case basis.

Note: The following biographies have been provided by the ABC recipients.

2016

Uri D. Herscher, President and CEO, Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA

Uri D. Herscher is the Founding President and CEO of the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles, CA, a dynamic cultural institution devoted to the appreciation of Jewish heritage, American democratic ideals, and the formative impact of immigration on American society.

Sergeant Major Mercy A. Diez, Vocalist, The United States Army Band, “Pershing’s Own,” Falls Church, VA

Originally from Cebu City, Philippines, Sergeant Major (SGM) Mercy A. Diez began singing at the age of five and joined the U.S. Army in 1989, not as a musician but in the military intelligence field.

Thalia, Singer, Author, Actor, Entrepreneur, New York, NY

Thalia is a singer, published author, actor and entrepreneur. She is considered the “Queen of Latin Pop” and is one of the best-selling Latin musicians of all time.

Mariano Rivera, Former Professional Baseball Pitcher for the New York Yankees; Founder, Mariano Rivera Foundation, New York, NY

Mariano Rivera is a former professional baseball pitcher who played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees from 1995 to 2013. Mr. Rivera spent most of his career as a relief pitcher and served as the Yankees' closer for 17 seasons.

Maria Contreras-Sweet, Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration, Washington, DC

Maria Contreras-Sweet became the 24th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and a member of President Obama’s cabinet on April 7, 2014.

Larry La, Principal, Meiwah Restaurant Group, Washington, DC, and Chevy Chase, MD

Larry La is the Principal of Meiwah Restaurant Group with locations in Washington, DC, and Chevy Chase, MD. He is an Asian-American community leader and is active in the Washington, DC, metropolitan community.

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Father Daniel Finn, Former Pastor of Saint Mark Roman Catholic Parish and Saint Ambrose Parish and Immigrant Advocate, Dorchester, MA

Father Daniel Finn is a native of Kanturk, Ireland, and became a citizen of the United States in 1973. Father Finn served as Pastor at Saint Mark Roman Catholic Parish in Dorchester, MA, from 1993-2015 as well as concurrently serving as Pastor at Saint Ambrose Parish, also in Dorchester, from 2010-2015.

Alberto Vasallo, Jr., Founder, El Mundo Newspaper, Cambridge, MA

Alberto Vasallo, Jr., a native of Havana, fled Cuba in 1965 at the age of 24 years old. After traveling for 12 hours, he arrived in Key West, FL, a day he has described as of one of the most beautiful days in his life.

José Andrés, Chef, Restaurateur, and Food Advocate, Washington, DC

José Andrés is an internationally recognized culinary innovator, advocate for food and hunger issues, author, television personality, chef, and owner of more than 16 restaurants in Washington, DC; Beverly Hills, CA; Las Vegas, NV; Miami, FL; and Dorado, Puerto Rico.

John Lukacs, Historian and Author, Phoenixville, PA

John Adalbert Lukacs is a Hungarian-born American historian who has written more than 30 books including, The End of the Twentieth Century: And the End of the Modern Age which was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Mr. Lukacs was a professor of history at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, PA from 1947 to 1994, and held the chair of the history department for 27 years. He has also served as a visiting professor at several universities.

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Outstanding Americans by Choice

2016

2015

2014