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.

For more information about the initiative, please see this fact sheet (PDF, 149.91 KB).

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

2007

Vartan Gregorian President, Carnegie Corporation of New York New York, New York

Vartan Gregorian is the twelfth president of Carnegie Corporation of New York, a grant-making institution founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1911. The pledge Mr. Gregorian made early in life to become “a person of learning and consequence,” has served him well.

Dr. Samuel G. Saldívar Professor Emeritus, United States Military Academy West Point, New York

Dr. Samuel G. Saldívar is a professor emeritus of Spanish and director of instruction at the United States Military Academy at West Point. Dr. Saldívar was born in Mexico, and in 1956, he was invited by Mr. Merrill Hathaway Ruggles, a high school teacher from Punta Gorda, Florida, to study in the United States.

M.J. Khan Houston City Council Member Houston, Texas

As a Houston City Council Member, Mr. Khan has a long record of community service. He has served as Vice President of the Islamic Society of Greater Houston and President of the Pakistan American Association of Greater Houston.

Farooq Kathwari Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc. Danbury, Connecticut

Farooq Kathwari is Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc. He has been President of the Company since 1985 and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since 1988.

Indra K. Nooyi Chairman-elect and Chief Executive Officer PepsiCo Purchase, New York

Chairman-elect and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo, Indra K. Nooyi joined PepsiCo in 1994 and directed worldwide strategy for over a decade. She was the primary architect of PepsiCo’s restructuring and transformation, which added some of the world’s strongest health and wellness brands to PepsiCo’s portfolio.

The Honorable Dina Habib Powell Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs U.S. Department of State Washington, District of Columbia

Dina Habib Powell was nominated by President Bush to be Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs on April 29, 2005, and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 24, 2005.

Miguel Orozco Community Leader Orange County, California

Miguel Orozco was born in Guayaquil, Ecuador. When he arrived to the United States, even though he could not speak a word of English and was not yet a citizen, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps.

Rear Admiral Dr. Cristina V. Beato, FAAFP Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Washington, District of Columbia

Dr. Cristina V. Beato is focused on leading the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) efforts to reduce health disparities, combat HIV/AIDS, encourage prevention strategies for reducing chronic diseases, and advance women's health.

Collage of images to make a representation of the Statue of Liberty with the text No Photo Available.

The Honorable Josefina G. Carbonell Assistant Secretary for Aging U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Washington, District of Columbia

Josefina G. Carbonell was appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate as Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in August 2001.

The Honorable Alfonso Martinez-Fonts, Jr. Assistant Secretary, Private Sector Office U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, District of Columbia

On November 27, 2005, Alfonso “Al” Martinez-Fonts, Jr. was appointed Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector Office at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As Assistant Secretary, Mr. Martinez-Fonts is charged with providing America’s private sector with a direct line of communication to the Department.

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Outstanding Americans by Choice

2007