From a stumbling stock market to sky-high gas prices, there are a growing number of things Americans are grumbling about these days. After two naturalization ceremonies today, there are ninety-nine people who are just happy to be here calling themselves Americans.

This Peoria Courtroom is a melting pot of people pledging their allegiance to the United States.

"I'm very happy and very excited. I'm just very happy as I've reached my dream," Maria Flores, a native of Mexico, says.

From more than two dozen countries, these immigrants are now US Citizens.

"The schools are very different. The education, you have a lot more freedom to choose what you want to do in the future. It's a great opportunity for education. Great schools here," Ramtin Hosseini, a native of Iran, says.

The path to citizenship is lengthy. Typically, it takes three to five years after applying. There's a civics test, background check and an interview where they'll gauge your grasp of the English language.

That's why for many their first stop after being sworn-in is the voter registration table.

"I have more political rights. Particularly, we can vote," Zhengchun Zhang from China says.

"It will be the first time in my life I get to vote. I never voted in my own country," Elizabeth Schell, a native of South Africa, says.

For today, there were smiles replacing any concerns of gas prices, the economy or war.

"People can just live here and have a good life here. Things are easy here. Life is good here," Schell says.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness all put to paper 232 years ago and being carried out today through Americas newest citizens.