Jerry Brown inaugurated as California's 39th governor

(01-03) 14:04 PST Sacramento --

Edmund G. Brown Jr. was sworn in as California's 39th governor in a low-key ceremony this morning, saying the state has a history of overcoming tough challenges in a 16-minute speech he wrote that was both soaring and sobering.

"It is not just my family but every Californian is heir to some form of powerful tradition, some history of overcoming challenges much more daunting than those we face today," Brown said in a speech delivered to thousands who attended the inauguration at Memorial Auditorium. "From the native peoples who survived the total transformation of their way of life, to the most recent arrival, stories of courage abound. And it is not over."

Brown was sworn in by the new Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, Tani Cantil-Sakauye, on a Bible that belonged to the grandfather of his wife.

After capping a historic run to his third term in the governor's office, Brown will face immediate challenges, most pressing the massive budget deficit that could top $28 billion. Brown will release his plan to tackle the problem in one week.

"The budget I present next week will be painful but it will be an honest budget," Brown said, promising to spend only what is available in tax revenues and to restructure government services between state and local entities. "The plan represents my best understanding of our real dilemmas and possibilities. It is a tough budget for tough times."

Students from two charter schools Brown founded in Oakland, the Oakland School for the Arts and the Oakland Military Institute, were part of the ceremony, with the choir from the arts school performing the national anthem.

The ceremony, which lasted about 40 minutes, was the biggest event on a day of understated celebrations. An Orange County public employee union was hosting a hot dog feed that was open to the public on the lawn of the Capitol to celebrate Brown's inauguration.

Brown has a reception scheduled for later at the California State Railroad Museum.

Brown's wife Anne Gust Brown introduced the new governor, saying today "is a very special day for my husband."

Brown adviser Steve Glazer said Brown may attend the event on the lawn, though he could not confirm that. After the ceremony, the new governor headed to his new home, a loft, just across the street from Memorial Auditorium.

The crowd in attendance was a who's who of California politics, including outgoing Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and First Lady Maria Shriver. Also on hand were U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, former Gov. Gray Davis, Lt. Governor-elect Gavin Newsom, and others.

E-mail Wyatt Buchanan at wbuchanan@sfchronicle.com.