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Brown Gives Fiery State of the State Address: 'When California Does Well, America Does Well'

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Gov. Jerry Brown delivered a heated State of the State address Tuesday in Sacramento, laying out how California will push back against new federal policies on immigration, climate change and health care in the wake of President Donald Trump's inauguration.

Brown began the speech citing poet John Donne: "No man is an island entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. ... And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."

The governor went on to outline how he will protect all Californians, especially immigrants.

"And let me be clear: we will defend everybody -- every man, woman and child -- who has come here for a better life and has contributed to the well-being of our state," Brown said to a standing ovation.

He also called on California to defend science and the scientific evidence of climate change.

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"Whatever they do in Washington, they can’t change the facts. And these are the facts: The climate is changing, the temperatures are rising and so are the oceans. Natural habitats everywhere are under increasing stress. The world knows this."

But Brown's call for bipartisan civility brought the loudest applause in the room, something the governor noted during the speech. He concluded by asking Californians to stand strong, and persevere, because "California is not turning back. Not now, not ever."

Read the full annotated text of the speech by public media reporters.

[SOTS2017]

Listen to the full speech.

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