Pamela Anderson becomes a U.S. citizen

Pamela Anderson has officially been awarded US citizenship.

And the Canadian-born former Baywatch babe's first act as an American citizen was to head to lobby against animal testing on behalf of her pet charity, PETA.

"Being a citizen excites me not just because I can vote, but because I can crack the whip on Capitol Hill to defend animals," wrote the long-time animal rights activist, whose brief marriage to Rick Salomon was recently annulled.

Anderson, 40, and PETA -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals -- are urging Congress to create and fund a new entity to oversee implementation of the recommendations made by the NAS.