Once worried about a declining birthrate, America now copes with a population increase of 80 million-plus since 1990.
One of those millions of immigrants is an eight-year-old named Vera, a Russian- speaker who in 1998 fled religious persecution in Uzbekistan along with her parents, sister and brother.
But surprise, surprise. Vera and her siblings today are as American as apple pie with a slice of cheddar cheese . Well, perhaps apple pie with a garnish of fresh honey.
Their father and mother, beekeepers in the former Soviet republic, now thrive in construction and clothing businesses and have purchased their first American home.
They pay their bills and taxes, repay their sponsor's expenses, parent their children and support their church and community.
They even like pizza, but have doubts about another American staple, peanut butter.
Vera and her family are America's New Pilgrims. Bless 'em all.(27 MAY 2001)
