Ukrainian immigrant gets dying wish to become American citizen

(Fort Worth-AP) -- Naum Falkovich didn't live long enough to take part in a mass citizenship ceremony scheduled for Wednesday. <br><br>But the 71-year-old Ukrainian immigrant still got his wishful

Tuesday, June 13th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Fort Worth-AP) -- Naum Falkovich didn't live long enough to take part in a mass citizenship ceremony scheduled for Wednesday.

But the 71-year-old Ukrainian immigrant still got his wishful filled by becoming an American.

On Friday -- less that 24 hours before he died -- an Immigration and Naturalization Service officer made a bedside visit to Falkovich's home in Fort Worth.

Falkovich was too weak to keep his right hand raised and too drained to speak.

But with the naturalization certificate in hand, Falkovich managed a smile for the camera.

The next day Falkovich died of cancer.

His widow, Lyusya, had some kind words for the visitors from I-N-S.

She said quote: "Thank God for these people. Thank God for this beautiful country," as she stared at a framed picture of Naum surrounded by candles.