US Prez declares Jamaican an ‘Outstanding American by Choice’
President Joe Biden recognizes Sandra Lindsay as an “Outstanding
American by Choice,” a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration
Services program that recognizes citizens who have
been naturalized in the East Room of the White House, Friday,
July 2, 2021, in Washington. Associated Press/Patrick
Caribbean Life, JULY 9-15, 2021 11
Americans vigorously celebrated
the 245th anniversary of
independence with belated fervor
and zeal absent since Covid-
19 restricted crowding at beaches,
parks and barbecues last
year and two Jamaican women
embraced the July 4 holiday paying
homage to their immigrant
status.
Both essential to the medical
profession, nurse Sandra Lindsay
and doctor Millicent Comrie welcomed
the fireworks that marked
the holiday and also lauded their
second citizenry.
Lindsay was invited to the
White House over the Independence
Day weekend to accept a
special honor from President Joe
Biden who declared her an Outstanding
American by Choice.
He presented the New York
resident with an award saying:
“She’s pursued her dream of
becoming a nurse to allow her to
do what she wanted to do most
— give back to her new country,”
the president said.
First in the nation to be vaccinated
against the coronavirus,
on Dec. 14, 2020, the director of
nursing for critical care at Northwell
Health’s Long Island Jewish
Medical Center in Queens, the
largest health-care provider in
New York — made history when
she volunteered to be jabbed with
the newly approved emergency
Pfizer drug.
In the presence of Mayor Bill
deBlasio, media representatives,
drug specialists, her colleagues,
willing and apprehensive citizens,
Lindsay bravely offered her
upper, left arm encouraging others
to follow her lead.
Throughout the pandemic,
particularly when the city was
described as the epicenter of the
virus Lindsay also faced her fears
to provide care to critically ill
patients — some of whom she
watched die from the virus.
President Biden explained:
“During the height of the pandemic
she poured her heart
and soul into the work to help
patients fight for their lives, to
keep her fellow nurses safe.”
“With a grandson at home,
prematurely, she did what she
had to do. She kept her distance
and kept him safe. He is
safe, but she lost an aunt and
an uncle to the virus. But in her
pain she didn’t lose hope,” Biden
explained.
“When the time came, she
was the first person in America
to get fully vaccinated outside of
clinical trials. She can now hug
her grandson; she’s out there
making sure her patients, folks
in her community are getting
vaccinated so they could get
back to their lives and their loved
ones.”
Reportedly Lindsay’s celebration
started last week when she
completed her PhD in health
sciences.
Her brother Garfield Lindsay
received the same degree during
the same ceremony.
Three decades ago the 18-yearold
emigrated from Jamaica to
Queens. She became a US citizen
in 1997.
“More than 24 years after
becoming a naturalized citizen, I
could never have imagined where
I am today — at the White House
receiving high honors from the
president,” Lindsay said.
“It’s truly a privilege to be a
part of this great nation and I will
continue to lead and help those
in need.”
In addition to accepting the
honor presented to naturalized
Americans by the US Citizenship
and Immigration Services for
significant contribution to both
their community and adopted
country Lindsay also received
accolades from the mayor who
announced that the poster nurse
would serve as the grand marshal
of next week’s ‘Hometown
Heroes’ ticker tape parade.
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