Rep.-elect Robert Garcia, like the rest of the House of Representatives, had his swearing in delayed on Tuesday, Jan. 3, because the Republican majority couldn’t agree on a new speaker.
But when the former Long Beach mayor does take his oath of office, he will do so with several meaningful mementos, including a photo of his late parents and his citizenship certificate.
And the original story of Earth’s most famous fictional immigrant — Superman.
Superman is famously from the planet Krypton.
“Will be proudly sworn-in to Congress on the U.S. Constitution,” Garcia, a Democrat, wrote in a Tuesday, Jan. 3, tweet. “Underneath the Constitution will be 3 items that mean a lot to me personally. A photo of my parents who I lost to covid, my citizenship certificate & an original Superman #1 from the @librarycongress.”
Garcia is a well-known comic book fan.
He was also born in Peru but immigrated to the U.S. as a child with his mother. His Mom and stepfather died from coronavirus-related causes in 2020 — personal losses he endured while also leading Long Beach through the pandemic.
Will be proudly sworn-in to Congress on the U.S. Constitution. Underneath the Constitution will be 3 items that mean a lot to me personally. A photo of my parents who I lost to covid, my citizenship certificate & an original Superman #1 from the @librarycongress.
pic.twitter.com/YGW43OLsIp
— Robert Garcia (@RobertGarcia) January 3, 2023
The freshman members of Congress were originally set to be sworn in on Tuesday. But the ceremonies were delayed at least a day after Rep. Kevin McCarthy failed to win reelection as the GOP’s leader amid a rebellion by a small group of conservatives.
“I’m on the House floor and the Republicans are in absolute disarray,” Garcia said in a separate tweet on Tuesday. “Unlike the united Democrats behind our leadership.”
After three rounds of voting, the House adjourned for the day. It is scheduled to reconvene on Wednesday.
The House cannot conduct any other business until a speaker is elected — including swearing in representatives.
Once sworn in, Garcia will serve California’s 42nd congressional district, which includes much of Long Beach, Bell, Bell Gardens, Downey, Huntington Park, Maywood and Signal Hill, as well as the east side of Lakewood and most of Bellflower. Avalon, on Catalina Island, and San Clemente Island are also in the district.
He will be the first openly LGBTQ immigrant to serve in Congress.
Bloomberg and City News Service contributed to this report.