ABC News anchor Peter Jennings has now become an American citizen.
The Toronto-born journalist, who was raised in Ottawa and still retreats from fame every summer to a farm in the nearby Gatineau Hills, said yesterday the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S. and his recent travels throughout the country have made him feel "much more connected to the Founding Fathers’ dreams and ideas for the future."
Mr. Jennings, who turns 65 later this month, has been working in the U.S. since 1964 and has been anchoring the ABC network’s nightly newscast since 1983.
"It’s been on my mind for many years, obviously, I’ve been here such a long time," he told CanWest News Service from his office in New York. "As a Canadian friend said to me today, I’ve always made clear my love for America. And it was a good time to formally declare that affection, along with a sense of debt and gratitude to the country that’s made it possible for me to have a wonderful life both professionally and personally."
Another immigrant coming to the land of opportunity who realizes that the singular dream that drives this country is one worth fighting for. Welcome to citizenship, Mr. Jennings, we’re glad to have you.
