Congratulations!

Joe(y) sent us this heartwarming article from Bay News 9 in Tampa about Jacksonville Confidential staff member Julio's sister Maria Canino receiving her US Citizenship...check it out!

"A Bay area mother became a U.S. citizen in Tampa Monday with her family by her side, except for her daughter who is serving the country in Iraq. María Canino came from Mexico on a student visa with her family in 1971.Canino later married a U.S. citizen and started a family.

"It took so long because I was raising my three beautiful children, and you know, being a mom, being busy and doing all their activities," Canino said.

But Canino said she has always felt like a citizen. "I have been an American in my heart for many years, and I needed the paperwork," she said.

Canino said she decided to become a citizen because of a promise she made to her daughter. Canino's 23-year-old daughter, Sophia, is serving her second tour as a soldier in Iraq and couldn't be home to see her mother become a U.S. citizen. Sophia is part of the 2nd Brigade, Bravo company 23 BTB, 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Ga., stationed in Iraq. Although Sophia was not present to see her mother become a citizen, Bay News 9 was able to show the images of the momentous event through the Internet."

Theres a link to the video at the bottom of the article HERE.