Ullman: Monticello scores funny woman for 4th

Tracey Ullman's State of the Union appears on Showtime.
PUBLICITY PHOTO FROM MONTICELLO

Comedienne and actress Tracey Ullman will speak to the nation's newest citizens at Monticello's July 4 Naturalization Ceremony. Ullman, whose 1987 Tracey Ullman Show gave the long-running The Simpsons its start, has lived in the United States for 25 years and became an American citizen in 2006, while holding onto her U.K. citizenship.

The 48th Independence Day Celebration and Naturalization Ceremony at Monticello begins at 9am and is free and open to the public. Previous speakers have been President George W. Bush, actor Sam Waterson, and artist Christo.

"We worked through our usual network," says Leslie Greene Bowman, president of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. "Our board members have excellent contacts."

And Ullman is "truly honored" to be the speaker at Monticello, says Bowman, and will likely bring a "lighter" touch to the new citizen experience.