Incoming California Democratic Representative-elect Robert Garcia says he will be sworn in “on the U.S. Constitution” — along with a rare Superman comic book underneath.
Garcia’s choice of the 1939 first edition comes from being a longtime fan of comics, specifically of the Man of Steel.
“Will be proudly sworn-in to Congress on the US Constitution. Underneath the Constitution will be three items that mean a lot to me personally. A photo of my parents who I lost to Covid, my citizenship certificate, and an original Superman #1 from the Library Of Congress,” Garcia tweeted on Tuesday.
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 first edition Superman comic is reportedly on loan from the Library of Congress. The library allows lawmakers to use historical works during swearing-in ceremonies.
Garcia, who is openly gay and the son of immigrants from Peru, has said he related to Superman as a child and has been a fan ever since. He praised DC Comics in 2021 when it announced an iteration of the superhero was bisexual.
“An immigrant, a sense of justice, and a secret identity. His son, Jon Kent is coming out in the comics. I’m proud of @DCComics & @TomTaylorMade for giving young LGBTQ+ people a hero of their own,” he tweeted.
I became a Superman fan as a kid because I related to him. An immigrant, a sense of justice, and a secret identity. His son, Jon Kent is coming out in the comics. I’m proud of @DCComics & @TomTaylorMade for giving young LGBTQ+ people a hero of their own. https://t.co/Sd4n9W9471
— Robert Garcia (@RobertGarcia) October 12, 2021
Garcia also expressed his excitement over comic books in a November post when he first visited the Congressional members reading room at the Library of Congress.
“OK y’all I’m freaking out. This is the Congressional members reading room in the Library of Congress. I can pull any comic book from what is the largest public comic collection in the country and read them here. Let’s go!” he tweeted.
Ok y’all I’m freaking out. This is the Congressional members reading room in the Library of Congress. I can pull any comic book from what is the largest public comic collection in the country and read them here. Let’s go! pic.twitter.com/SyIrCvHkfT
— Robert Garcia (@RobertGarcia) November 14, 2022
Garcia said he would also have a picture of his parents beneath the Constitution for his swearing-in. His mother and stepfather both died from COVID in 2020.
“She immigrated from Peru to the United States in search of the American Dream — and she found it,” Garcia said following his mother’s death. “She loved to help people and lived a happy and joyous life. She will always be our guiding light and the center of our lives.”
The congressman-elect also revealed during an interview with Long Beach Press-Telegram that his comic book interest was shared with his mother.
“She was a little bit of a nerd, like me,” Garcia said. “She loved going to Comic-Con. She liked reading books about vampires and monsters. And she loved going to movies. We went to a lot of movies and especially liked scary ones.”
Garcia moved to California with his family from Peru when he was five. He later became a U.S. citizen before becoming the mayor of Long Beach.
Members of Congress are traditionally sworn in on a Bible. However, there is no requirement to do so. Garcia will be the first congressman to include a comic book in his ceremony.