Editor's note. Rai Rojas's wonderful account asks us to think carefully about something we take for granted, with nary a second thought: the right to vote in the greatest representative democracy on the planet. As a naturalized citizen coming from a country run by an authoritarian regime, Rai would never, could never, make that mistake.

One of the proudest moments of my life was when on March 28, 2002, I was able to take the oath of citizenship at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The journey to get there had not been an easy one. I was born in Communist Cuba in 1961 and our small family arrived here in 1968. I was 7 years old, and after the unimaginable culture shock began to wear off, we started to assimilate as easily as a 7 year old child can.

Flash forward to 1987. I'd become involved in the right to life movement, and I realized that a vote was one of the most pro-life things I could do. But my life was so busy it was not until after the disastrous 1992 presidential election, that I fully realized it was time for me to take an important step.

I applied for citizenship three times during the Clinton administration, and three times my application was rejected. Frankly, the reason's given were always a bit absurd. I could write a book about what ensued, but after countless delays and bureaucratic snafus, I received a letter from the INS in late 2001 saying that I had passed the exam and that I would shortly be receiving notice of the date for naturalization.

Every day I would rush to the mailbox waiting for the notice. Finally it came. Thirty four years after arriving in this great country, after three failed attempts, and after an almost 15-month process, I was to become a United States citizen.

There were 3,000 people at the Miami Beach Convention Center on March 28, 2002 . The stage was in front of us with seats and a podium in front of a backdrop that consisted of a 50-foot American flag. Pro-life congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen came, as did Pro-life congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart. Following the two of them was pro-life Attorney General John Ashcroft.

After welcoming us Mr. Ashcroft asked that we rise as the name of the country of our birth was called out. As he began the roll call of nations-- from Azerbaijan to Zimbabwe--we stood as our country of birth was called out.

All 3,000 of us then stood, faced the American flag on the stage, and said the Pledge of Allegiance. It was said with such force that it sounded more like a cheer than a pledge. Then Attorney General Ashcroft asked us to raise our right hands. A few minutes later he looked down at us and said, "Congratulations, my fellow Americans."

A cantor from Israel, having just become an American Citizen, stood and sang the National Anthem. His voice rose above our heads and filled the massive convention center with the first few stanzas before we all joined in.

We were asked to be seated to wait for our naturalization certificates. Within a few minutes the young people who had picked up our identification returned them in a large manila envelope with our names on it. Included were our beautiful naturalization certificate and a voter's registration card.

Why share this with you now? For two reasons. First, I want to remind you what a blessing it is, what a privilege it is, to be able to vote.

Second, I also want you to remember that we are facing an election unlike any we have seen before, the results of which will alter the course of history in a fundamental way. As pro-lifers it is our duty both to vote and to be ready to reach out to all voters.

I am a proud American of Hispanic origin. I want you to know that Hispanics are instinctively, intuitively pro-life.

There is a plentiful crop waiting to be harvested. All that is needed is enough workers.

Please send your thoughts to daveandrusko@hotmail.com.