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California’s original constitution goes on display in Sacramento Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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WAITED THEIR WHOLE LIVES F THIS DAY. THE U.S. GAINED 76 NEW CITIZENS TODAY IN DOWNTOWN SACRAMENTO. >> I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY. LISA: THESE NEWLY SWORN IN AMERICANS COME FROM 30 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD, INCLUDING INDIA, FIJI, AND CANADA. >> I AM SO HAPPY. THANK YOU FOR MY FAMILY AND THANK YOU TO AMERICA. >> THIS TOOK ME ABOUT 19 YEARS TO GET. I WAS VERY YOUNG WHEN I CAME HERE. I FEEL VERY PROUD. >> IT GIVES ME A GREAT HONOR TO BE HERE. I CAME TO THE UNITED STATES 30 YEARS AGO. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES. THAT IS WHAT MADE ME TO TAKE STEPS TO BEGIN COMING A CITIZEN. LISA: ALEX PADILLA LIVERED THE KEYNOTE SPEECH AT THE CEREMONY. >> AMONG YOUR MOST IMPORTANT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES IS NOW THAT YOU ARE ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE. LISA: THEY WRITE THESE NEW CITIZENS PLAN TO USE. OPPORTUNITY AND THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE OUR WAYS OF LIFE IS THE ONE THING THAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS COUNTRY. LISA: ALSO PRESENT NEXT TO THE CEREMONY AT THE CALIFORNIA MUSEUM ON RARE DISPLAY, THE GOLDEN STATE’S FOUNDING DOCUMENT, THE CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION. WRITTEN IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH WHEN IT WAS DRAFTED IN 1849. IT IS KEPT IN A HIGH-SECURITY VAULT AT THE STATE ARCHIVES. WHEN THE DOCUMENT IS OUT OF THE VAULT, IT IS GUARDED BY HIGHWAY PATROL AND PROTECTED INSIDE A SEALED CASE. >> IT IS WRITTEN ON ANIMAL SKIN PARCHMEN