Senator Alex Padilla Takes Oath of Office, Pledges to Fight for California Families
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Alex Padilla was sworn in as United States Senator, making history as the first Latino to represent the Golden State in the United States Senate.
“It is the honor and privilege of a lifetime to serve as a voice for all Californians at this critical moment in our nation’s history. California is fighting on the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis, and I’m committed to securing much needed relief for working families and the resources California needs to build our communities back stronger and more equitable than ever before.
“As the proud son of immigrants from Mexico, I watched my parents work resiliently hard for 40 years, my father as a cook and my mother as a housekeeper, to give my sister, my brother, and I a better chance in life. Today and everyday, I will work as hard as my parents did to build a better future for the next generation and give every California family a fair shot at the American Dream.”
Padilla was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris and took his oath of office on his mother’s bible. He was joined by U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein and U.S. Representative Tony Cárdenas. Prior to being appointed to the U.S. Senate, Padilla served as California’s first Latino Secretary of State and served as a State Senator and as a member and President of the Los Angeles City Council. He is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where he earned a bachelors of science degree in mechanical engineering. Padilla lives in the San Fernando Valley with his wife Angela and their three sons.