In observance of “I am an American Day”, the State of California, along with the City of Los Angeles, welcomed new American citizens to come celebrate their citizenship at a ceremony held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. With nearly 60,000 in attendance pledging their allegiance to our flag, as well as members of the U.S. Armed Forces honored for their service at that time during World War II, then Governor Warren spoke these words to the crowd:
“American citizenship is a blessing, regardless of how it comes to us, and under the protective folds of the Stars and Stripes, it generates more real happiness than is produced by any type of citizenship yet conceived.
Most of the time it gives much and seeks little in return except good living, tolerance toward others and application to the affairs of government. Now it not only gives much but it requires much. It needs our intense loyalty, our entire energy, our money, our service and in thousands of instances, our lives. True citizens will not deny any of these to their country”.