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Robert Redford, Joan Baez, And More Inducted Into California Hall Of Fame

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — From stars of sports and science to the silver screen, the capital city rolled out the red carpet for the newest members of California's Hall of Fame Tuesday.

"Really, I was so excited and this moment is great," said Fernando Valenzuela, beloved former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and World Series winner.

"I didn't seem like the average person to be inducted, but I am honored and delighted and so many of my heroes have been in the hall of fame," said Arlene Blum, biophysical chemist and mountaineer who is best known for leading the first all women's ascent of Annapurna I, one of the world's most dangerous and difficult mountains.

The eight new inductees included Hollywood legend, Robert Redford.

"The fact that I am a native Californian has special meaning to me tonight, so for that and all of you here supporting it I am very very thankful, so thank you," Redford said.

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The actor and director has so many memorable films, not everyone can agree which one's best.

"No question, 'All the President's Men,' I've seen that movie probably 15 maybe 20 times," said Mayor Darrell Steinberg of Sacramento.

"'Day of the Condor,'" said Governor Jerry Brown.

"'She's Butch Cassidy' and 'I'm the Candidate,' that's easy," Governor-Elect Gavin Newsom pointed to his wife.

The soon to be first lady, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, is a filmmaker who's had two documentaries shown at Redford's Sundance film festival.

"He's giving voice to so many filmmakers' unspoken truth to power through all the different ways that Sundance really elevates people's careers. I'm a huge fan," she said.

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Musician and activist Joan Baez was also being recognized for her decades of accomplishments.

"I think it has brought some of the changes that we were looking for and if not it, brings energy to people out there to go into do things they would not have otherwise," Baez said.

Jerry Brown presided over the awards ceremony, as one of his last official acts as Governor of California.

CBS13 photojournalist James Taylor asked Brown if he would be sad to leave Sacramento.

"No!" the governor quickly answered, but said, "I won't be very far away, I will be in Sacramento Valley."

As fans gathered to see the stars, many were thankful we have this opportunity here in the capital city.

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"Sacramento rocks, we live in the best city. Especially every year because people come out and it's pretty exciting," said one fan.

Thomas Keller, a renowned culinary expert and chef, was also present to be inducted into the hall of fame. He was once named Chef of the Year by Time Magazine.

Also honored Tuesday night was the late Ed Lee, former mayor of San Francisco and Belva Davis, a longtime broadcaster in the Bay Area and the first black woman in television news.

Finally, the late Nancy McFadden rounded out the honorees. McFadden was a top advisor to two California governors as well as President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.

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