Henry Stern was sworn in at the Performing Arts Center at Agoura High School Sunday, Jan. 29.

Over 700 people attended the community swearing-in ceremony to witness the first millennial elected to the California state Senate. Stern will oversee the 27th State Senate District of California, which comprises parts of the Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

Oak Park’s marching band made an appearance at the end of the ceremony, performing songs “Apollo” and “Land of 1000 Dances.”

“The Eagles were soaring. They were the exclamation point on the whole thing,” Stern said.

Members of Stern’s staff said they were excited for his term.

“He’s the first millennial Senator, I believe. He’s really nice, really smart, [he has] some very capable staff; we’re going to do some very good things,” staff member Abram Diaz said.

Stern, 34, said he understands being one of the youngest Senators in California history places additional pressure on him.

“When you’re young, people try to tell you, ‘you gotta wait,’ or ‘it’s not your turn,’ and you don’t get to speak out, and I think our generation has a voice that needs to be heard,” Stern said. “You can’t wait, because they’re going to ruin it for us if we don’t actually get involved. To me, I just take that weight and put it to work; the pressure’s a good thing. We need that.”

Stern said he doesn’t think of the ceremony as a celebration of becoming a state Senator.

“This is just a celebration of everyone that helped me get here, and trying to give them a roadmap on how to keep going,” Stern said. “It’s not just celebration, it’s an action party.”

Fran Pavley, former state Senator, described how she believes Stern will lead the 27th district.

“[He’s] going to be carrying a torch for this generation,” Pavley said.

Other state Senators expressed optimism for Stern’s term.

“You haven’t seen nothing yet with Henry Stern leading the way. I’m proud to be his partner representing the valley,” 18th district state Senator Bob Hertzberg said.

Ben Allen, representing the 26th state Senate district, also expressed his excitement for Stern’s election.

“I am just so incredibly thrilled to have Henry serve and represent this wonderful community alongside me, alongside Kevin, Scott and Bob and our other members of the state Senate,” Allen said. “I’m incredibly thrilled to call him a partner and a dear friend.”

Throughout the ceremony, speakers emphasized Stern’s dedication to environmental issues.

“About three days ago, the pro tempore and I were indeed together in Sausalito at a conference on clean energy,” Allen said. “I sat in the audience, and looked up at the panel, and listened as new Senator Henry Stern talked about an energy policy with total ease, with the level of sophistication and intelligence and understanding that was right on par with every single one of the CEOs and scientists who were on the panel.”

Allen said he places his faith in Stern.

“He’s got the sophistication to take this job and run with it,” Allen said. “I know that he won’t disappoint you.”

As Stern gave his thank you speech, he stressed his generation’s capacity to effect change.

“We won’t be quiet anymore. We won’t wait. We’re rising,” Stern said.

The audience gave a standing ovation as Stern concluded his speech.

“This is very much just the beginning,” Stern said. “God bless you, God bless the Senate district 27, God bless the state of California and God bless the United States of America.”